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TRANS  A  CTIONS 


THE  GAELIC  SOCIETY  OF  INVERNESS 


VOLUME     XVIII. 

1891-92. 

3£ 

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TRANSACTIONS 


THE  GAELIC  SOCIETY  OF  INVERNESS. 


VOLUME     XVIII. 

1891-92. 


TRANSACTIONS 


GAELIC  SOCIETY 

n* 

OF  INVERNESS. 


VOLUME     XVIII. 

1891-92. 

\  I 


Claim  nan  (iaiblual  an  dnailUan  a  (£h.eiU. 


PRINTED    FOR   THE   GAELIC   SOCIETY   OF    INVERNESS, 

AT   THE    "  NORTHERN   CHRONICLE  "   OFFICE  ; 

AND   SOLD   BY  JOHN   NOBLE,    WILLIAM   MACKAY,   AND   A.   &  W.   MACKENZIE, 
BOOKSELLERS,    INVERNESS. 

1894. 


GAELIC  SOCIETY  OF   INVERNESS. 


OFFICE-BEARERS  FOR  1891     OFFICE-BEARERS  FOR  1892 


CHIEF. 

J.    Douglas    Fletcher    of  Rose- 
haugh. 

CHIEFTAINS. 

Bailie  Alex.  Mackenzie. 
Alexander  Macbain,  M.A. 
Councillor  Wm.  Gunn. 

HON.    SECRETARY. 

William  Mackay,  Solicitor. 

SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER. 

Duncan   Mackintosh,    Bank    of 
Scotland. 

MEMBERS    OF    COUNCIL. 

Duncan  Campbell. 
Colin  Chisholm. 
John  Macdonald. 
D.  H.  Chisholm. 
Alexander  M.  Ross. 

LIBRARIAN. 

William  Eraser. 

PIPER. 
Pipe-Major  Ronald  Mackenzie. 

BARD. 
Neil  Macleod,  Edinburgh 


CHIEF. 

Sir  Kenneth  S.  Mackenzie,  Bart. 
of  Gairloch. 

CHIEFTAINS. 

Rev.  Dr  Norman  Macleod. 
John  L.  Robertson. 
Duncan  Campbell. 

HON.    SECRETARY. 

William  Mackay,  Solicitor. 

SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER. 

Duncan    Mackintosh,    Bank   of 
Scotland. 

MEMBERS    OF    COUNCIL. 

Alex.  Macbain,  M.A. 
A.  M.  Ross. 
Wm.  Macdonald. 
Ex-Bailie  Alex.  Mackenzie. 
John  Mackenzie. 

LIBRARIAN. 

William  Fraser. 

PIPER. 
Pipe-Major  Ronald  Mackenzie, 

BARD. 
Neil  Macleod,  Edinburgh. 


COMUNN  GAELIC  INBHIR-NIS. 


CO-SHUIDHBACHADH. 

1.  'S  e  ainm  a'  Chomuinn  "  COMUNN  GAILIG  INBHIR-NIS." 

* 

2.  'S  e  tha   an  run  a'  Chomuinn  : — Na   buill  a  dheanamh 
iomlan  's  a'  Ghailig ;    cinneas  Canaine,   Bardachd  agus  Ciuil  na 
Gaidhealtachd  ;    Bardachd,  Seanachas,  Sgeulachd,  Leabhraicheaii 
agus  Sgriobhanna   's   a'  chaiiain   sin   a  thearnadh  o  dhearmad  ; 
Leabhar-lann  a  chur  suas  ami  am  baile  Inbhir-Nis  de  leabhraichibh 
agus  sgriobhannaibh — ann   an  canain  sam  bith — a   bhuineas  do 
Chaileachd,  lonnsachadh,  Eachdraidheachd  agus  Sheanachasaibh 
nan  Gaidheal  no  do  thairbhe  na  Gaidhealtachd ;  coir  agus  cliu  nan 
Gaidheal  a  dhion  ;  agus  na  Gaidheil  a  shoirbheachadh  a  ghna  ge 
b'e  ait'  am  bi  iad. 

3.  'S  iad  a  bhitheas  'nam  buill,  cuideachd  a  tha  gabhail  suim 
do  runtaibh  a'  Chomuinn ;  a^us  so  mar  gheibh  iad  a  staigh : — 
Tairgidh  aon  bhall  an  t-iarradair,  daingnichidh  ball  eile  an  tairgse, 
agus,  aig  an  ath  choinneimh,  ma  roghnaicheas  a'  mhor-chuid  le 
crannchur,    nithear   ball   dhith-se   no   dheth-san   cho   luath  's   a 
phaidhear  an  comh-thoirt;   cuirear  crainn  le  ponair  dhubh  agus 
gheal,  ach,  gu  so  bhi  dligheach,  feumadh  tri  buill  dheug  an  crann 
a  chur.     Feudaidh  an  Comunn  Urram  Cheannardan  a  thoirt  do 
urrad  'us  seachd  daoine  cliuiteach. 

4.  Paidhidh  Ball  Urramach,  'sa'  bhliadhna  .    £0  10     6 
Ball  Cumanta          *         .         .         .         .050 
Foghlainte      .  .         .         .         .010 
Agus  ni  Ball-beatha  aon  chomh-thoirt  de .       770 

5.  'S  a'  cheud-mhios,  gach  bliadhna,  roghnaichear,  le  crainn, 
Co-chomhairle  a  riaghlas  gnothuichean  a'  Chomuinn,  's  e  sin — aon 


GAELIC  SOCIETY  OF  INVERNESS. 


CONSTITUTION. 

1.  The   Society  shall    be  called   the   "  GAELIC    SOCIETY   OF 
INVERNESS." 

2.  The  objects  of  the  Society  are  the  perfecting  of  the  Mem- 
bers in  the  use  of  the   Gaelic  language  ;  the  cultivation  of  the 
language,  poetry,  and  music  of  the  Scottish  Highlands ;  the  res- 
cuing from  oblivion  of  Celtic   Poetry,  traditions,  legends,  books, 
and  manuscripts ;  the  establishing  in  Inverness  of  a  library,  to 
consist  of  books  and  manuscripts,  in  whatever  language,  bearing 
upon  the  genius,  the  literature,  the  history,  the  antiquities,  and 
the  material  interests  of  the  Highlands  and  Highland  people ;  the 
vindication  of  the  rights  and  character  of  the  Gaelic  people  ;  and, 
generally,  the  furtherance  of  their  interests  whether  at  home  or 
abroad. 

3.  The  Society  shall  consist  of  persons  who  take  a  lively  in- 
terest in  its  objects.     Admission  to  be  as  follows  : — The  candidate 
shall  be  proposed  'by  one  member,  seconded  by  another,  balloted 
for  at  the  next  meeting,  and,  if  he  or  she  have  a  majority  of  votes 
and  have  paid  the  subscription,  be  declared  a  member.     The  ballot 
shall  be  taken  with  black  beans  and  white ;  and  no  election  shall 
be  valid  unless  thirteen  members  vote.     The  Society  has  power  to 
elect  distinguished  men  as  Honorary  Chieftains  to  the  number  of 
seven. 

4.  The  Annual  Subscription  shall  be,  for — 

Honorary  Members      .         ...         .    <£0  10     6 

Ordinary  Members       .         .         .         ..050 

Apprentices         .         .         .         .         .         .010 

A  Life  Member  shall  make  one  payment  of  .       770 

5.  The  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  Society  shall  be  en- 
trusted to  a  Council,  chosen  annually,  by  ballot,  in  the  month  of 


Vlll.  CO-SHUIDHEACHADH. 

Cheann,  tri  [ar-chinn,  Cleireach  Urramach,  Hiiuaire,.  lonmhasair, 
agus  coig  l)iiill  eile — feumaidh  iad  uile  Gailig  a  thuigsinn  's  a 
ohruidhinn ;  agus  ni  coigear  dhiubh  coinneamh. 

6.  Cumar  coiinieainhan  a'  Chomuinn  gach  seachduin  o  thois- 
each  an  Deicheamh  mios  gu  deireadh  Mhairt,  agus  gach  ceithir- 
la-deug  o  thoiseach  Ghiblein  gu  deireadh  an  Naothamh-mios.     'S 
i  a'  Ghailig  a  labhrar  gach  .oidhche  mu'n  seach  aig  a'  chuid  a's 
lugha. 

7.  Cuiridh  a'  (Jho-chomhairle  la  air  loth  anus  an  t-Seachdamh- 
mios  air-son  Coinneamh  Bhliadhnail  aig  an  cuniar  Co-dheuchaiuii 
agus  air  an  toirear  duaisean  air-son  Piobaireachd  'us  ciuil  Ghaidh- 
ealach  eile  ;  anus  an  fheasgar  bithidh  cojheuchainn  air  Leughadh 
agus  aithris  Bardachd  agus  Rosg  nuadh  agus  taghta ;  an  deigh  sin 
cumar  Cuirni  chuidheachdail  aig  am  faigh  nitho  Gaidhealach  rogh- 
ainn  'sail  uirghioll,  ach  gun  roinn  a  dhiultadh  dhaibh-san  nach  tuig 
Gailig.     Giulainear  cosdas  na  co-dheuchainne  le  trusadh  sonraichte 
a  dheannamh  agus  cuideachadh  iarraidh  o  'n  t-sluagh. 

8.  Cha  deanar  atharrachadh  sam  bith  air  coimh-dhealbhadh 
a'  Chomuinn  gun  aontachadh  dha  thrian  de  na'm  bheil  de  luchd- 
bruidhinn  Gailig  air  a'  chlar-ainm.     Ma  's  miann  atharrachadh  a 
dheanamh  is  eiginn  sin  a  chur  an  ceill  do  gach  ball,  mios,  aig  a' 
chuid  a's  lugha,  roirnh'n  choinneimh  a  dh'fheudas  an  t-atharrachadh 
a  dheanamh       Feudaidh    ball    nach  bi  a  lathair  roghnachadh  le 
lamh-aithne. 

9.  Taghaidh  an  (1omunn  Bard,  Piobaire,  agus  Fear-leabhar- 
lann. 


Ullaichear  gach  Paipear  agus  Leughadh,  agus  giulainear  gach 
Deasboireachd  le  run  fosgailte,  duineil,  durachdach  air-son  na 
firinn,  agus  cuirear  gach  ni  air  aghaidh  ami  an  spiorad  caomh,  glan, 
agus  a  reir  riaghailtean  dearbhta. 


CONSTITUTION.  IX.. 

January,  to  consist  of  a  Chief,  three  Chieftains,  an  Honorary 
Secretary,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  and  five  other  Members  of  the 
Society,  all  of  whom  shall  understand  and  speak  Gaelic ;  five  to 
form  a  quorum. 

6.  The    Society   shall    hold    its   meetings    weekly   from    the 
beginning  of  October  to  the  end  of  March,  and  fortnightly  from 
the  beginning  of  April  to  the  end  of  September.     The  business 
shall  be  carried  on  in  Gaelic  on  every  alternate  night  at  least. 

7.  There  shall  be  an  Annual  Meeting  in  the  month  of  July, 
the  day  to  be  named  by  the  Committee  for  the  time  being,  when 
Competitions  for  Prizes  shall  take  place  in  Pipe  and  other  High- 
land Music.     In  the  evening  there  shall  be  Competitions  in  Read- 
ing and  Reciting  Gaelic  Poetry  and  Prose,  both  original  and  select. 
After  which  there  will  be  a  Social  Meeting,  at  which  Gaelic  sub- 
jects shall   have  the  preference,  but    not   to   such   an  extent  as 
entirely  to  preclude  participation  by  persons  who  do  not  under- 
stand Gaelic.     The  expenses  of  the  competitions  shall  be  defrayed 
out  of  a  special  fund,  to  which  the  general  public  shall  be  invited 
to  siibscribe. 

8.  It  is  a  fundamental  rule  of  the  Society  that  no  part  of  the 
Constitution  shall  be  altered  without  the  assent  of  two-  thirds  of 
the  Gaelic-speaking  Members  on  the  roll  ;  but  if  any  alterations 
be  required,  due  notice  of  the  same  must  be  given  to  each  member, 
at  least  one  month  before  the  meeting  takes  place  at  which  the 
alteration  is  proposed  to  be  made.     Absent  Members  may  vote  by 
mandates. 

9.  The  Society  shall  elect  a  Bard,  a  Piper,  and  a  Librarian. 


All  Papers  and  Lectures  shall  be  prepared,  and  all  Discussions, 
carried  on,  with  an  honest,  earnest,  and  manful  desire  for  truth  ; 
and  all  proceedings  shall  be  conducted  in  a  pure  and  gentle  spirit^ 
and  according  to  the  usually  recognised  rules. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THIS,  the  18th  Volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions  contains  the 
work  of  one  year  and  a  half — from  Midsummer  1891  till  the  mid- 
session  of  1893  (1st  March,  1893).  The  departure  from  the  rule 
of  publishing  an  annual  volume  is  temporary  :  the  Society's  yearly 
volumes  were  getting  so  far  in  arrear  of  the  sessions  they  repre- 
sented that  the  Publishing  Committee  decided  to  compress  the 
work  of  three  years  into  two  volumes ;  more  especially  as  a  favour- 
able opportunity  presented  itself  in  the  unusual  number  of  papers 
of  a  general  character  with  which  they  had  to  deal,  and  which 
could  be  either  omitted  or  condensed.  As  a  consequence,  our 
Volume  XIX.  will  represent  the  period  from  1st  March,  1893,  to 
•end  of  session  1893-1894  ;  and  it  is  expected  that  it  will  be  in  the 
hands  of  the  members  by  the  New- Year  time.  Oar  volumes  will 
t>e  then  abreast  of  our  sessions.  It  is  right  to  add  that  we  owe  the 
two  maps,  which  form  the  only  extra  feature  of  the  volume,  to 
the  courtesy  and  skill  of  Mr  James  Fraser,  C.E.,  Inverness. 

Since  the  preface,  of  our  last  volume  was  penned,  the  Society 
has  lost  through  death  two  or  three  of  its  most  prominent 
members  and  contributors.  Sheriff  Nicolson,  most  genial  and 
kindliest  of  men,  died  on  the  13th  January,  1893,  at  the  age  of 
66.  His  "  Gaelic  Proverbs  and  Phrases"  forms  one  of  the  most 
valuable  contributions  ever  made  to  the  "  Proverbial  "  philosophy 
of  the  world ;  but,  in  spite  of  this  and  his  patriotic  Highland 
poetry,  it  is  felt  that  he  has  left  nothing  commensurate  either 
with  his  undoubted  genius  or  with  the  personal  impression  he  left 
on  his  contemporaries.  Two  months  later  saw  the  death  of  Mi- 
Hector  Maclean,  folklorist  and  anthropologist.  Mr  Maclean 
was  J.  F.  Campbell's  right  hand  man  in  the  collection  and  publi- 
cation of  the  "  Popular  Tales  of  the  West  Highlands,"  a  work  of 


Xll.  INTRODUCTION. 

European  fame.  He  was  a  constant  contributor  to  our  own 
Transactions — there  is  a  paper  of  his  in  this  volume — as  well  as 
to  other  learned  societies,  notably  the  "  Journal  of  the  Anthropo- 
logical Institute."  No  better  monument  could  be  raised  to  his 
memory  by  the  Islay  or  any  other  Association  than  a  collected 
edition  of  his  various  and  important  papers,  scattered  through 
periodicals,  newspapers,  and  transactions  of  learned  societies. 
Rev.  A.  D.  Mackenzie,  late  of  Kilmorack,  died  this  year ;  he  wag. 
a  Gaelic  scholar  of  the  first  order,  even  venturing  into  the 
dangerous  quagmires  of  Gaelic  philology. 

Great  activity  has  been  shown  in  Highland  and  Gaelic  literary 
work  during  the  last  eighteen  months^and  four  or  five  important 
publications  have  appeared.  Of  Gaelic  books  published,  we  have 
first  to  mention  Rev.  Mr  Macrury's  Eachdraidh  Beatha  Chriosd,  a 
racily  written  account  of  the  life  of  Christ.  New  and  much 
fuller  editions  of  earlier  works  have  been  given  us  in  our  Bard's 
(Neil  M'Leod's)  Clarsach  cm  Doire  and  in  Dain  Iain  Ghobha 
("  Morrison's  Poems")  ;  the  former  has  several  additional  poems, 
and  some  well  told  tales  are  appended.  The  latter  work,  of  which 
this  is  the  first  volume,  has  a  laudatory  biography  by  the  editor, 
Mr  George  Henderson,  M.A.  The  Comunn  Gaidhealach  have 
issued  a  first  book  of  "  Scottish  Gaelic  as  a  Specific  Subject," 
intended  for  the  Scotch  Code.  All  the  fore-mentioned  works  came 
from  Mr  Archibald  Sinclair's  "Celtic  Press"  in  Glasgow,  and 
reflect  the  highest  credit  on  his  patriotism  and  printing.  The 
second  and  last  volume  of  Dr  Cameron's  Reliquiae  Celticw  has  just 
been  publishod,  and  is  a  much  more  valuable  and  varied  work 
than  the  first.  It  contains  the  famous  Fernaig  MS.  (see  our 
Vol.  XL,  pp.  311-339),  the  Red  Book  of  Clanranald,  and  the 
Edinburgh  Turner  MS.  XIV.,  a  collection  of  Gaelic  poetry — all  for 
the  first  time  printed.  The  Book  of  Clanranald  is  important  both 
as  history  and  as  Gaelic,  for  it  represents  the  learned  dialect  of 
the  Scottish  Gael  in  the  17th  century.  The  rest  of  the  work 
contains  lectures,  translations,  and  philology  :  altogether  an 
indispensable  work  for  the  Gaelic  scholar.  Mr  Macpherson's 
"  Glimpses  of  Church  and  Social  Life  in  the  North" — mainly 


INTRODUCTION.  Xlll. 

confined  to  the  history  and  traditions  of  Badenoch-^-has  received 
deservedly  high  praise  from  the  press  of  the  United  Kingdom. 
Mr  Mackay's  "  Urquhart  and  Glenmoriston"  has  been  justly 
styled  a  model  parish  history  ;  the  vast  mass  of  facts,  general  and 
local,  bearing  on  the  Parish  have  been  well  digested  into  a  very 
readable  volume.  It  remains  to  add  that  Mr  Mackenzie  has 
published  a  second  edition  of  his  "History  of  the  Mackenzies/' 
re-written,  revised,  and  much  enlarged  by  genealogical  and  historical 
facts.  The  gentlemen  who  are  editors  or  authors  of  the  last  four 
important  volumes  referred  to  are  active  and  valued  members  of 
our  Society.  We  regret  to  record  the  demise  of  the  Highland 
Monthly,  which  attempted  to  do  for  the  Highlands  and  for  Gaelic 
what  the  other  monthlies  do  for  the  general  country.  The  Celtic 
Monthly  is  flourishing  greatly,  and  has  increased  its  size  and 
literary  weight. 

The  most  important  event  in  general  Celtic  literature  is  the 
appearance  of  Dr  Whitley  Stokes's  Celtic  Etymology,  unfortunately 
written  in  the  German  language,  and  styled  Urkeltischer  Sprach- 
schaltz.  It  is  an  extremely  able  work,  and  its  new  etymologies  are 
always  striking,  and  often  daring.  Standish  H.  O'Grady's  Silva 
Gadelica  is  a  collection  of  mediaeval  Gaelic  (Irish)  stories,  mostly 
about  the  Feinn ;  no  Gaelic  student  must  overlook  it.  Father 
Hogan's  edition  of  the  "Battle  of  Ros-na-Ree"  contains  text, 
translation,  and  vocabulary,  with  other  important  etymological 
facts,  of  an  Early  Irish  tale  about  Conchobar  Mac  Nessa.  Dr 
Hyde's  "  Connaught  Songs,"  with  translations,  is  a  work  that  has 
been  received  with  deserved  favour,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
Larminie's  "  West  Irish  Folk-Tales  and  Romances."  Dr  Joyce  has 
published  the  first  volume  of  an  excellent  "  History  of  Ireland," 
coming  down  to  the  17th  century  ;  and  we  are  glad  to  see  that  a 
new  edition,  with  additions,  has  appeared  of  his  "  Celtic  Romances" 
(D.  Nutt).  In  Germany  and  France  much  Celtic  philological 
work  and  textual  criticism  have  appeared,  the  leading  writer  being 
Professor  Zimmer.  He  has  also  published  a  work  to  clear  up  the 
difficulties  of  early  British  history,  entitled  Neunius  Vindicatus, 
where  Neunius  is  more  or  less  rehabilitated  into  the  position  of  an 


XIV.  INTRODUCTION.  ' 

honest  historian  and  a  real  personage.  The  Revue  Celtique  still 
flourishes,  and  we  are  glad  to  say  the  same  of  the  Gaelic  Journal, 
edited  by  Professor  O'Growney,  Maynooth. 

In  regard  to  general  Highland  matters,  there  is  little  fresh  to 
record.  The  Clan  Societies  still  flourish  vigorously,  Glasgow  being 
the  head  centre.  Some  of  them  do  good  work  ;  they  help  clans- 
men newly  arrived  in  town,  and  some  of  them  offer  bursaries  for 
educational  purposes.  The  Clan  Macdonald  Society  has,  we 
understand,  even  unlertaken  a  Clan  History,  which  has  been 
entrusted  to  the  literary  care  of  Rev.  Messrs  Macdonald  of  Kil- 
tarlity  and  Killearnan.  We  should  like  to  see  more  literary  work 
like  this  undertaken — editions  of  claj^  bards,  collected  works  of  a 
member  of  a  clan  (as  those  of  Mrs  Mackellar  and  Mr  H.  Maclean), 
&c.  The  Government  Grants  to  the  County  Councils  have  been 
in  most  cavses  generously  applied  to  Technical  and  Secondary 
Education,  and  the  prospects  of  Higher  Instruction  in  the  High- 
lands are  much  brighter  than  ever. 

INVERNESS,  June,  1894. 


CONTENTS. 


PACK. 

Office-bearers  for  1891  and  1892        .  .         .          v. 

Constitution     .........         vi. 

Introduction  ....  .  .  .  .  xi. 

Nineteenth  Annual  Assembly 1 

The  Apparitions  and  Ghosts  of  the  Isle  of  Skye — Mr 

Norman  Matheson     .......  8 

Minor  Highland  Families,  No.  5 — The  Frasers  of  Foyers : 

"  Sliochd  Huistean   Frangach" — Mr   Charles    Fraser- 

Mackintosh,  M.P 17 

Annual  Dinner — Speeches  by  Mr  J.  Douglas  Fletcher  of 

Rosehaugh,  Mr  John  L.  Robertson,  Provost  Ross,  and 

Mr  William  Mackay .          .          .          .          .          .          .          32 

Some  Highland  Fishermen's  Fancies — Mr  A.  Poison,  Dun- 

beath 42 

The  Iberians — Mr  Hector  Maclean,  Islay  .  .  .  .  47 
Stray  Notes  in  Gaelic — Rev.  John  Macrury,  Snizort  .  .  59 
General  Monk's  Campaign  in  the  Highlands  in  1654 — Mr 

William  Mackay,  Solicitor          ...         .         .         .         70 

The  Dialect  of  Badenoch — Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.  .  .  79 
-The  Gaelic  Incantations  and  Charms  of  the  Hebrides — Mr 

W.  Mackenzie  . 97 

Sutherland  Place  Names — Reay  and  Kildonan — Mr  John 

Mackay,  J.P.,  Hereford 183 

On  some  Clan  Chattan  MS.  Genealogies  and  Histories — Mr 

A.  Mackintosh  Shaw,  London  .....  208 
The  Early  History,  Legends,  and  Traditions  of  Strathardle 

— Mr  Charles  Fergusson,  Fairburn  ....  229 
Twentieth  Annual  Assembly  .  .  .  .  .  .  255 


Xvi.  CONTENTS. 


PAGK. 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland — Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.       267 
The  Macintyres  of  Glennoe— Rev.  A.  Maclean  Sinclair        .       289 
Annual  Dinner — Speeches  by   Rev.  Dr  Norman  Macleod, 
Mr  William  Mackay,  Mr  John  L.  Robertson,  and  Mr 

Duncan  Campbell 295 

Minor  Highland  Families,  No.  6 — The  Frasers  of  Guisachan, 
styled  "  MacHuistean" — Mr  Charles  Fraser-Mackintosh 

of  Drummond,  M.P 309 

Sutherland    Place    Names — Loth    and    Clyne — Mr    Johir 

Mackay,  J.P.,  Hereford 325 

Gaelic  Songs  of  Perthshire  and  their   Composers,    Paper 

No.  2— Mr  Paul  Cameron,  Blair- A  thole      .  .       340 

Honorary  Chieftains .363 

Life  Members  .  .  .363 

Honorary  Members  .  ,  364 

Ordinary  Members   .  .  .365 

Deceased  Members   .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .374 

List  of  Books  in  the  Society's  Library        ....       375 


TRANSACTIONS 


ANNUAL  ASSEMBLY. 

THE  Nineteenth  Annual  Assembly  of  the  Society  was  held  in 
the  Music  Hall  011  9th  July,  1891.  As  in  former  years,  the  plat- 
form was  decorated  in  a  most  artistic  way,  tartans,  shields,  clay- 
mores, dirks,  deers'  heads,  and  other  emblems  of  Highland  sport 
and  chivalry  being  effectively  employed.  A  background  of 
greenery  set  off  the  display  with  excellent  effect.  On  this  occasion 
the  platform  was  occupied  by  Mr  W.  S.  Roddie's  special  choir,  who 
sustained  with  much  credit  a  prominent  place  in  the  evening's 
programme.  Provost  Ross,  who  wore  the  Highland  costume, 
occupied  the  chair,  taking  the  place  of  the  absent  Chief,  Mr  Fletcher 
of  Rosehaugh.  He  was  supported  by  Bailie  Alex.  Mackenzie; 
Mr  Colin  Chisholm,  Namur  Cottage,  Inverness ;  Rev.  Father 
Bisset,  Strathcrrick  ;  Captain  Chisholm,  Glassburn ;  Mr  Steele, 
Bank  of  Scotland  ;  Mr  James  Barron,  editor,  Inverness  Courier ; 
Mr  Wm.  Mackay,  solicitor,  Inverness  ;  Mr  Alex.  Mackenzie,  Balli- 
feary ;  Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.,  Inverness ;  ex-Bailie  Stuart ; 
Brigade-Surgeon  Grant,  Inverness ;  Mr  G.  J.  Campbell,  solicitor  ; 
Captain  Grant,  Northern  Bengal  Mounted  Infantry  ;  and  Mr  Dun. 
Mackintosh,  secretary  of  the  Society.  A  telegram  was  read  from 
Mr  Douglas  Fletcher  of  Rosehaugh,  Chieftain  of  the  Society,  in  the 
following  terms  : — "Your  Chief  sends  his  hearty  greetings  to  the 
members  and  friends  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  and  regrets 
extremely  his  unavoidable  absence,  and  hopes  that  you  will  have  a 
very  pleasant  gathering." 

While  the  company  was  assembling,  the  Society's  piper,  Pipe- 
Major  Ronald  Mackenzie,  played  a  selection  of  Highland  airs  in  the 
entrance  lobby.  Shortly  after  eight  o'clock  the  proceedings  com- 
menced by  the  Secretary  intimating  apologies  for  absence  from  the 
following  gentlemen  among  many  others  : — Mr  Douglas  Fletcher 
of  Rosehaugh,  Chief  of  the  Society  ;  The  Mackintosh  ;  Sir  Kenneth 

1 


2  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Mackenzie  of  Gairloch  ;  Mr  Duncan  Forbes  of  Culloden  ;  Mr  Baillie 
of  Dochfour;  Mr  Fraser-Mackintosh,  M.P.;  Mr  L.  Macdonald  of 
Skaebost ;  Professor  Mackinnon ;  Professor  Blackie ;  Mr  Mac- 
kenzie of  Farr ;  Colonel  Murray,  Inverness  ;  Major  Jackson  of 
Swordale ;  Dr  Norman  Macleod ;  Dr  Stewart,  Nether-Lochaber  ; 
Mr  Paul  Cameron,  Blair-Athole  ;  Mr  Peter  Burgess  ;  Mr  A.  Mac- 
pherson,  solicitor,  Kingussie  ;  &c.,  &c. 

The  Chairman,  in  his  opening  remarks,  said  he  regretted  the 
absence  of  Mr  Fletcher  of  Rosehaugh,  Chief  of  the  Society,  who 
would,  in  due  course,  have  filled  the  chair.     Mr  Fletcher,  he  said, 
had  written  expressing  his  warm  interest  in  the  Society,  and  prov- 
ing his  sincerity  by  enclosing  a  cheque  for  £25.     Mr  Fletcher,  at 
the  same  time,   suggested  that  something  might  be  done  by  the 
Society  in  the  way  of  putting  upon  permanent  record  the  lives  and 
works  of  the  Gaelic  writers  of  the  presenfccentury.     It  appeared  to 
him  (the  Provost)  that  there  was  ample  scope  for  their  enthusiastic 
literary  friends  to  give  an  account  of  these,  and  their  works  would 
be  a  practical   history   of  the  Gaelic   literature  of   their   times. 
Unfortunately  Gaelic  publications   and  literature  did  not  always 
pay   publisher  or   author.     For   example,    an    excellent  series  of 
Gaelic  folk-lore  and  folk- tales  was  being  published  in  London,  by 
Mr  David  Nutt,  the  authors  being  two  well-known  Gaelic  scholars, 
Revs.  Mr  Machines  and  Mr  Macdougall,  and  they  were  certainly 
equal   in  importance  and  interest  to  Campbell's   West   Highland 
Tales,  yet  the  publishers  had  only  sold  120   copies  of  the  second 
volume,  although  it  had  been  out  for  a  year.     That  was  not  as  it 
should  be.     Such  donations  as  Mr  Fletcher's  would  come  in  very 
conveniently,  and  might  help  to  stimulate  both  author  and  buyer. 
The    Provost   then    congratulated  the    Society  on    its   twentieth 
anniversary,  and  said  that  next  year  it  would  attain  its  majority. 
He  was  sure  they  wished  the  kindred  Society  that  was  being  got 
up  in  Oban  all  success,  and  they  hoped  that  it  may  be  able  to 
show  as  good  a  record  at  the  end  of  twenty  years  as  the  Gaelic 
Society   of   Inverness  had   done.     The    volumes  issued   by  their 
Society  were  most  valuable  and  interesting,  and  excited  the  sur- 
prise and  admiration  of  their  south-country  neighbours  ;  in  fact,  so 
far  as  he  knew,  as  the  outcome  of  a  provincial  Society,  they  were 
second   to   none.     If  time  permitted,    he   could   mention   many 
instances  in  which  he  had  occasion  to  refer  for  information  their 
leading  men,  both  in  Church  and  in  State,  to  the  volumes  of  the 
Gaelic  Society  and  to  the  Field  Club  Transactions,  and  they  had 
expressed  their  delight  and  surprise  at  the  work  done.     Possibly 
they  might  have  their  musical  and  poetical  department  on  a  more 


Annual  Assembly.  3 

practical  footing,  and  have  regular  competitions  on  the  occasion  of 
the  annual  gathering,  but  it  was  quite  an  open  question,  whether 
by  multiplying  their  aims  and  objects — federating  with  other 
Societies,  taking  up  home-made  cloths  and  other  native  industries, 
.and  such  like  arrangements — they  should  not  injure  the  standing 
which  the  Society  had  gained  as  a  fountain  of  literary  and 
scholastic  matter.  He  was  not  one  who  would  like  to  see  their 
local  Society  merged  into  a  larger  or  even  into  a  national  one.  He 
believed  their  chief  interest  and  claim  to  help  was  that  they  were 
local  and  were  doing  local  work,  in  respect  that  they  dealt 
exclusively  with  Highland  lore.  It  would  be  well  if  that  were  so 
recognised  in  their  museums  and  like  institutions.  They  could 
best  deal  with  local  matter,  and  deal  with  it  more  exhaustively 
than  strangers  could.  In  that  way  there  would  be  a  double 
interest  for  visitors,  who  could  see  what  was  in  their  native 
Highlands. 

A  most  interesting  and  thoroughly  Highland  musical  pro- 
gramme was  gone  through,  and  great  credit  is  due  to  Mr  Roddie's 
select  choir  for  their  excellent  rendering  of  the  different  songs. 
One  of  the  musical  gems  of  the  evening,  "  Mackintosh's  Lament," 
was  sung  by  Miss  Kate  Fraser,  with  humming  accompaniment  by 
the  choir.  This  was  the  first  time  Cumha  Mhic-an-Toisich  has 
been  sung  in  Inverness  to  this  artful  arrangement  of  the  music. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  part  of  the  programme,  the  Rev.  Mr 
Macgregor,  Farr  (now  of  Kilmore,  Argyleshire),  delivered  a  Gaelic 
.address  as  follows  :— 

A  Phrobhaist  Inbhirnis,  agus  uaislean  gu  leir, — Tha  mi  gie 
chinnteach  nach  ruig  mi  a  leas  maitheanas  iarraidh  air  son 
.seasamh  a  mach  a  labhairt  ribhse  ami  an  cainnt  mo  mhathar. 
Theagamh  gum  bheil  dream  'nur  measg  aig  am  bheil  a  Bheurla 
.ni's  deise,  no  feudaidh  e  bhi  gum  bheil  iad  an  so  aig  nach  eil  facal 
idir  'nan  ceann  ach  cainnt  nan  Sasunnach.  Gheibh  sinn  a  Bheurla 
•daonnan,  ach  an  uair  is  aill  leinn  labhairt  a  mach  o'n  chridhe,  is 
eiginn  do  m'  leithid-se  dol  air  ar  n-ais  gus  iia  briathran  a  bha  air 
.an  labhairt  air  feadh  Albainn  guleir,  anns  na  laithean  's  an  tug'ur 
n-aithrichean  dubhlan  do  gach  namhaid,  co  dhiubh  thigeadh  iad  a 
.Sasunn  'san  airde  Deas,  no  a  Lochlunn  's  an  airde  'n  Ear.  Uime 
sin  thugaibh  eisdeachd  dhomh  car  nine  bhig,  gus  an  innis  mi  mo 
sgeul.  Anns  a  cheud  dol  a  rnach  tha  again  ri  mor  bhuidheachas  a 
thoirt  do'n  Chomunn  Gaidhealach,  air  son  a  chuireadh  a  thug  iad 
dhomh,  air  son  tighinn  'nur  rneasg  aig  an  am  so.  Cha  b'e  so  a 
cheud  uair  a  chuir  iad  fios  orm,  ged  nach  do  cheadaich  gnoth- 
uichean  eile  learn  a  bhi  a  lathair  gus  a  nis.  Ged  is  e  so  mo  cheud 


4:  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

shealladh  do'n  Chomunn,  tha  dochas  agam  air  barrachd  eolais  a 
chur  orra.  Bha  e  riamh  'na  thoil  inntinn  dhomh  sgriob  a  thoirt 
do  phriomh  bhaile  na  h-airde  Tuaith,  far  am  bheil  daoine  co 
fialaidh,  's  co  cairdeil,  's  co  cneasda  's  nach  iarainn  cuideachd  a 
b'fhearr  re  mo  laithean,  ged  a  bu  bheo  mi  gu  aois  na  h-iolaire  no 
aois  a  chrainn  daraich.  B'e  sin  a  bha  a  m'bheachd,  's  mi  a  togail 
orm  a  crioch  mu  thuath  Chataoibh,  aig  teis  meadhoin  an  t-Samh- 
raidh  aluinn,  le  run  a  bhi  'nur  measg  air  an  fheasgar  so.  Air 
dhomh  a  bhi  air  mo  tharruinn  air  cul  an  eich  iaruinn,  le  luathas. 
na  gaoithe,  bha  mi  a'  toirt  oidhirp  air  briathran  a  chur  an  ordugh 
air  son  labhairt  ribh  an  nochd,  's  cha  robh  mi  ach  goirid  gus  am 
fhaic  a  mi  nach  b'  urrainn  dhomh  cearb  a  dheanadh  nuair  a  sheasainn 
air  beulthaobh  muinntir  mo  dhuthcha.  'Nuair  a  bhiodh  ur 
n''aithrichean  o  shean  a'  dol  air  cheilidh  air  feadh  tighean  nan 
coimhearsnach,  cha  bhiodh  dith  cainnte  t5rra.  Eadar  naigheachdan 
na  duthcha,  agus  orain  nam  Bard,  agus  toimhseachain  's  ceisdean 
cruaidhe  bhiodh  gu  leoir  aca  ri  radh,  's  tha  mi  gun  teagamh  nach 
teirgeadh  aobhar  cridhealais  dhuinne  ged  a  shuidheamaid  an  so  gu 
da  uair  dheug  do'n  oidhche,  no  gu  moch  am  maireach.  Cha  'n  eil 
fhios  c'uin  a  sguireamaid  do  labhairt  na'n  rachamaid  gn  sgeul  a 
dheanamh  air  boidhchead  na  duthcha  'san  d'fhuair  sinn  ar  breth 
's  ar  arach.  Shiubhail  mise  neart  do'n  chuan,  's  chan  fhaca  mi 
fathast  aon  tir  a  chuirinn  an  coimeas  ri  mo  thir  fein.  Chi  sinn 
amis  a  Ghaidhealtachd  na  h-uile  ni  a  chuireas  sgiamh  air  an 
talamh,  agus  na  h-uile,  ni  air  am  bu  mhiann  leis  na  Baird  a  bhi  ar 
deanamh  rainn.  Seallaibh  air  na  beaimtan,  air  Nibheis  's  air 
Cruachan,  's  air  Laoirnein,  's  air  moran  eile.  Tha  iad  sin  nan 
seasamh  mar  fhianuisean  air  gach  gniomh  mor  a  thachair  mu'n 
cuairt  orra  o  na  chaidh  an  saoghal  a  chruthachadh.  Nach  ciatach 
an  sealladh  a  ta  iad  a'  cur  air  an  tir  1  Is  mor  's  is  laidir  's  is 
daingean  iad,  a  seasamh  mar  a  sheas  na  Gaidhil  iad  fein  a  shean, 
gu  dian  agus  gu  misneachail  an  aghaidh  gach  namhaid.  Rach- 
amaid a  sios  gu  ruig  an  Srath,  agas  ciod  a  chithear  leinn  ?  Tha 
againn  an  sin  na  h-aimhnichean  mora,  's  na  sruthanna  beaga,  nan 
dian  ruith  o  mheasg  an  fhraoich,  gu  ruig  an  comhnard,  agus  o'n 
chomhnard  gn  ruig  an  cuan.  Is  boidheach  na  tuiltean  uisge,  's 
iad  nan  ruith  's  nan  leuin  's  nan  cabhaig,  mar  gum  biodh  iad  a 
ruith  reise  a  dh'  ionnsuidh  na  tragha.  Seadh  agus  is  boidhea.ch 
na  coilltean  gorm'  a  ta  a  fas  air  na  bruaichean.  Chi  mi 
an  giubhas  agus  an  darach,  's  an  calltuinu,  's  an  seileach 
ag  eiridh  a  suas  gu  boidlieach  's  gu  lurach.  Cuiridh  iad 
sin  maise  air  ar  beul  gach  uair  a  thogas  sinn  a  suas  ar  suilean  a 
chum  nam  beann.  Cha  bheag  an  dreach  a  chnireas  am  fraoch 


Annual  Assembly.  5 

air  na  sleibhteaii  an  uair  a  thig  e  fo  bhlath  mu  Lunastal,  'sa  bhios 
am  monadh  mur  gum  biodh  e  a  lasadh  le  teine.  Thugamaid  suil 
a  dh'ionnsuidh  na  h  airde  an  far.  Chi  sinn  an  sin  na  h-eilcineau. 
Chi  sinii  Muile  nam  Mor  bheann,  agus  I  Chaluim  Chille,  far  an 
deachaidh  an  Soisgeul  a  theagasg  air  a  cheud  tarruinn  ami  an 
Albainn.  Chi  sinn  Eilein  a  Cheo,  no  Eilein  nan  Sgiath,  an  t  Eilein 
Sgiathanach,  agus  a  ris  an  t-Eilein  Fada,  agus  Eilein  an  fhra^ich 
an  Leothas,  a  sineadh  fad  air  falbh  a  dh'ionnsuidh  an  airde  Tuaith. 
Tha'n  cuan  a'  briseadh  mun  cuairt  orra,  mur  chuan  do  ghloinn 
air  a  mheasgadh  le  teine,  ni's  dealraich  na  uile  sheudan  na 
talmhainn  so  air  an  caradh  mu  thimchioll  crun  na  Ban-righinn 
Mur  eil  gu  leoir  agaibh  fathast  thugaibh  suil  air  na  criochan  a  ta 
ri  fhaicinn  fa  chomhair  nan  eilein.  Sin  far  am  bheil  na  lochanna  a 
ruith  a  stigh  aig  bun  nam  beann,  far  am  bheil  na  machraichean 
faoilidh  anns  am  bi  na  treudan  ag  ionaltradh  fa  ur  dhealt  a 
cheitein  mu'n  eirich  a  ghrian.  Agus  am  fear  nach  faic  co  finealta 
's  a  ta  na  nithean  sin  gu  leir,  'se  their  mi  nach  eil-suil  'na  cheann 
no  tuigse  na  chridhe.  Sin  agaibh  ma  ta,  an  duthaich  anns  an. 
bheil  againn  ur  tamh.  Co  as  a  thainig  sinn  fein,  agus  co  d'am 
buin  sinn  1  Tha  eachdraidh  nan  Gaidheal  a'  dol  gu  ruig  linntean 
fad'  o  shean,  agus  tha  cunntas  againn  air  ar  sinnsirean  mun 
deachaidh  bunaitean  na  Roimh  a  leagail,  agus  mun  robh  duine 
beo  a'  gabhail  tamh  's  an  fhearann  Bhreatunnach.  'S  coltach 
gum  b'  ann  o  mheadhon  na  h-Asia  chaidh  an  saoghal  gu  leir  a 
Lonadh  le  sluagh.  Feudar  a  bhi  cinnteach  gun  robh  na  Gaidhil 
am  measg  a  cheud  f  headhainn  a  chaidh  a  mach,  'nuair  a  bha  an 
sluagh  a  fas  lionmhor,  agus  an  tir  a  fas  ro  chumhann.  Ghabh  iad 
an  turus  a  dh'ionnsuidh  na  h-airde  '11  lar  sior  dol  air  an  aghaidh 
gus  am  faighead  iad  aite  taimh  a  bhiodh  freagrach,  agus 
mu  dheireadh  thug  iad  a  mach  criochan  na  h-airde  'n  lar 
do'n  Roinn  Eorpa.  As  a  sin,  thainig  iad  'nan  curaichean  thairis 
air  a  Chaolas  Shasunnaich,  agus  dh'aitich  iad  Breatuun  gu  leir. 
Air  dhaibh  an  sin  a  bhi  air  an  roinn  nan  tri  earaunan,  chaidh  cuid 
do  Uels,  agus  cuid  do  Eirinn,  thainig  cuid  eile  do  cheann  Tuaith 
Albainn,  agus  b'iad  sin  na  nor  shinnsirean  o'n  tainig  shine.  Seadh, 
agus  is  iomadh  cogadh  mor  a  bha  aca  riamh  ri  chur,  air  son  greim 
a  chumail  air  tir  nam  beann.  Is  e  facal  suaicheantais  nan  Leodach, 
"  Cum  an  greim  a  gheibh  thu,"  agus  tha  mi  an  duil  gum  bn  mhath 
a  f  hreagaireadh  e  do  na  Gaidhil  uile.  Thainig  naimhdean  nan 
aghaidh  an  toiseach  as  an  Roimh.  Bha  iompaireachd  na  Roimh 
a'  tagradh  coir  air  an  t  saoghal  gu  leir,  ach  feuch  an  tug  na 
Romanaich  buaidh  air  luchd  aiteachaidh  nan  gleann.  Cha  tug,  s 
cha  mho  thug  na  Sasunnaich  no  na  Lochlunnaich,  ged  a  bu  trie  a 
thug  iad  an  oidhirp.  Tha  iomadh  earn  ri  fhaicinn  air  feadh  na 


6  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Gaidhealtachd,  a  ta  a'  comharrachadh  nan  aitean  far  an  do 
thuit  colainnean  nan  namhaid  cein  sin,  do  bhrigh  's  nach 
leigcadh  ur  n-aithrichtean  leo  sealbh  a  ghabhail.  Cha 
deachaidh  na  Gaidhill  riamh  fathast  a  chur  fo  smachd 
coigrich,  's  tha  mi  an  dochas  nach  teid  gu  brath.  Ach 
coma  co  dhiubh.  Chan  eil  an  sin  ach  seann  naigheachdaii  a 
bhuineas  do  na  laithcan  a  dh'fhalbh*  Cha'n  ionann  cor  na  Gaid- 
healtachd an  diugh  's  mar  a  bha  i  'nuair  a  bhiodh  na  fineachan  a' 
dol  a  niach  gu  cath  fo  bhratach  nan  Ceanna-cinnidh.  Tha  na 
Gaidhil  air  sgoileadh  gu  uile  chriochan  na  talmhainn,  's  tha  iad  air 
tighinu  gu  ard  inbhe  anus  gach  aite  far  an  deachaidh  iad.  Faicibh 
an  Domhnullach  a  bha  na  phriomh  uachdaran  air  an  fhearaun 
Bhreatunnach  ann  an  America.  Sin  far  an  robh  oganach  Catach, 
a  chuir  moran  urraim  air  an  aite  as  an^Tthainig  e.  Cha'n  'eil  ach 
goirid  o  na  thainig  a  chrioch  air,  's  b'  fhearr  gun  robh  tuille  ann 
coltach  ris.  'S  mor  am  beud  gum  bheil  co  beag  suim  air  a  ghab- 
hail  do  nithean  Gaidhealach  'n  ar  measg.  Tha  moran  'n  ar  rneasg 
a'  deanamh  di-chuimhne  air  gnathaichean  air  n-aithrichean,  's  chan 
eil  mi  cinnteach  idir  gur  ann  ni's  fearr  a  ta  iad  a'  deanamh.  A 
reir  coltais  tha  daoine  ann  a  ta  co  proiseil  's  gum  bheil  iad 
a  deanamh  tair  air  a  Ghaidhlig  mar  chainnt  shuaraich  neo-fhasanda. 
Seadh,  tha  gu  leoir  ann  air  feadh  na  Gaidhealtachd  aig  am  bheil 
gu  leoir  do  Ghaidhlig,  agus  a  ta  a'cumail  a  mach  nach  eil  facal  dhi 
nan  ceann.  Tha  iad  g'am  brath  f ein  gun  taing.  'S  iomadh  uair  a 
rinn  mi  gaire  a'  cluinntinn  fear  no  te  ag  radh,  's  Bheurla,  "  Chan  eil 
Gaidhlig  agam."  Nam  biodh  iad  ag  innseadh  na  firinn  's  e 
theireadh  iad,  "  Cha'n  aithne  dhomh  a  Ghaidhlig,';  do  bhrigh  's 
gur  e  sin  an  car  a  bhios  na  Sasunnaich  a'  cur  air  a  chainnt  aca  fein. 
A  nis,  am  feadh  's  a  tha  daoine  oho  aineolach  ri  so,  tha  e  feumail 
gun  rachadh  ni  eiginn  a  dheanamh  a  chum  's  nach  rachadh  di 
chuimhne  gu  leir  a  dheanadh  air  cainnt  na  h-airde  Tuath.  'S  e 
so  is  crioch  araidh  do'n  Chomunn  Ghaidhealach  aig  Inbhirnis. 
Is  freagarrach  gum  biodh  priomh  bhaile  na  Gaidhealtachd  air 
thoiseach  'sa  ghniomh.  Rinn  muinntir  Inbhirnis  aon  rud  a 
bha  glic,  'nuair  a  thug  iad  gairm  do'n  Ollamh  Macleoid  gu  tighinn 
an  aite  an  Domhnullaich.  Cha'n  e  na  h-uile  fear  a  lionas  boineid 
an  Domhnullaich,  ach  mu  tha  fear  idir  ann,  's  e  sin  Tormoid, 
Gaidheal  mor,  laidir,  foghainteach  ;  saoghal  's  slainte  gum  robh 
aige  re  morain  laithean.  Gu  ma  fada  beo  e,  's  ceo  as  a  thigh.  'S 
am  dhomh  sgur.  Moran  taing  dhuibh  air  son  co  foighidneach  's 
a  dh'isd  sibh  riiim.  Gabhaibh  air  'ur  n-aghaidh  a  mhuinntir  a 
Chomuinn  Ghaidhealaich.  Cumaibh  cuimhne  air  na  Baird,  's  air  a 
phiob  mhoir,  's  air  na  ceilidhean,  's  air  a  chamanachd,  agus  seasaibh 
guallainn  ri  guallainn  a  dh-aindeoin  co  theireadh  e. 


Annual  Assembly.  7 

At  the  close  the  Chairman  moved  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr 
Roddie  and  his  choir,  whom  he  complimented  highly  upon  their 
performance,  also  the  Rev.  Mr  Macgregor  for  his  excellent  Gaelic 
address. 

Mr  Mackay,  solicitor,  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Provost 
Ross  for  presiding,  and  the  singing  of  "  Auld  Lang  Syne"  termi- 
nated one  of  the  most  enjoyable  and  successful  assemblies  that 
the  Society  have  ever  had. 

The  pianoforte  accompaniments  were  tastefully  supplied  by 
Miss  C.  Fraser,  Church  Street,  and  the  proceedings  were  appropri- 
ately diversified  by  an  excellent  selection  of  pipe  music  from  the 
Society's  piper,  Pipe-Major  Ronald  Mackenzie,  assisted  by  Pipe- 
Major  Ferguson,  of  the  Highland  Rifle  Volunteers. 

The  following  poem  was  written  by  Mr  Neil  Macleod,  Edin- 
burgh, bard  to  the  Society,  for  the  occasion  : — 

COINNEAMH  BLIADHNAIL  COMUNN  GAELIG  INBHIRNIS. 

Failt'  air  clann  nan  Gaidheal  cliutach, 

'Tha  cruinn  an  nochd  'n  an  comunn  muirneach, 

A  sheasamh  canan  aosd'  ar  duthcha, 

A  sheinn  ar  baird  ; 
'S  a  h-eachdraidh  bhuan  nach  teid  a  mhuchadh 

'An  gloir  nan  dan. 

Cho  fad  's  a  shiubhleas  uillt  troimh  ghleanntan, 

'S  a  sheideas  gaothan  ris  na  beanntan, 

Bidh  cainnt  'us  ceol  nan  gaisgeach  greannmhor 

A  dion  ar  tir  ; 
A'  taisbeanadh  an  cliu  gun  ghanntar 

Bho  linn  gu  linn. 

A'  cliainnt  a  labhradh  le  ar  sinnsir, 
'S  dh'  fhag  iad  againne  mar  dhileab, 
Tha  sibhs'  an  nochd  gu  duineil  dileas, 

Mar  'bu  choir  dhuibh  ; 
'G  a  nearteachadh  'n  'ur  Baile  rioghail 

Le  deadh  eolas. 

'S  i  'labhair  Oisean,  Fionn,  'us  Diarmad, 
'S  a  dhuisgeadh  spiorad  treun  'n  an  iarmad, 
A  sheasadh  daingean  mar  an  t-iarunn,, 

Ri  uchd  an  namh  ; 
'S  an  talla  chiuil  gu  baintidh  siochail, 

Le  iochd  is  baigh. 


Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Altrumaibh  le  beus  gun  truailleadh, 

Gacli  ni  'tha  maiseach  agus  nasal, 

Le  spiorad  rioghail  mar  'hu  dual  dhuibh* 

Bho  bhur  sinnsir ; 
'S  caiunt  bhur  mathar  cumaibh  snas  i, 

Gun  a  diobradh. 

Cuimtmichibh  an  stoc  bho  'n  d'  fhas  sibh, 
'S  air  an  eachdraidh  bhuan  a  dh'  fhag  iad, 
Air  an  gniomharan  neo-bhasmhor, 

'S  air  an  euchdan  ; 
A  cheannaich  saorsa  tir  nan  ardbheann 

Le  'n  cuid  chreuchdan. 


18th  NOVEMBER,    1891. 

A  largely  attended  meeting  was  held  on  this  date,  being  the 
tirst  meeting  for  Session  1891-92.  After  the  nomination  of  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  for  membership,  and  the  arranging  of  some 
business  in  connection  with  the  annual  dinner,  Mr  Alex.  Macbain, 
M.A.,  read  a  paper  contributed  by  Mr  Matheson,  teacher,  Easdale, 
entitled — "  The  apparitions  and  ghosts  of  the  Isle  of  Skye."  Mr 
Matheson's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

THE  GHOSTS  AND  APPARITIONS  OF  THE  ISLE  OF  SKYE. 

Considering  the  number  of  able  writers  and  accomplished 
critics  among  the  members  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  it 
is  with  feelings  very  nearly  akin  to  timidity  that  I  approach  my 
subject,  that  of  the  Ghosts  of  Skye — feelings  arising  not  from  any 
fear  of  the  ghosts  themselves,  though  it  is  a  subject  well  calcu- 
lated to  excite  fear,  but  from  an  inward  consciousness  of  many 
shortcomings  hindering  the  paper  from  being  more  worthy  of  the 
occasion,  and  making  it  worthy  of  a  place  among  the  records  of 
the  Society,  and  ensuring  for  it  that  patient  hearing  and  unsparing 
criticism  so  beneficial  to  both  writers  and  readers.  I  will,  how- 
ever, do  my  best  for  the  sake  of  old  Skye,  and 

Air  son  na  tim  a  bh'ann  bho  shean 
Air  son  na  tim  bho  chian  0'. 


Apparitions  of  the  Isle  of  Skye.  0 

But  even  then  I  fear  it  will  fall  far  short  of  a  real  Skye  Old  Ceilidh, 
where  many  a  time  and  oft  patriarchal  crofters  of  the  old  school 
considered  it  their  chief  delight 

Around  their  fire  an  evening  group  to  draw, 
And  tell  of  all  they  heard  and  all  they  saw. 

I  shall  not  attempt  anything  ir  the  shape  of  a  learned  or 
scholarly  treatment  of  the  subject,  but  will  confine  myself  to 
giving  specimens  of  such  ghost  stories  as  I  remember  in  the 
homely  style  in  which  they  are  related  in  Skye  by  people  often 
without  a  particle  of  education,  but  whose  memories  are  regular 
treasure-houses  of  old  world  stories  and  legends,  and  which  they 
can,  as  a  rule,  deliver  with  good  effect,  and  with  the  utmost  con- 
fidence in  the  correctness  of  their  version.  I  feel  sure  that  the 
members  of  your  Society  remember  many  similar  stories,  and  1 
would  suggest  that  they  supplement  this  paper  by  relating, 
Ceilidh-wise,  each  man  a  story  after  the  reading  of  this  paper. 

I  at  first  thought  of  making  it  embrace  all  phases  of  super- 
stition in  Skye,  but  I  find  the  subject  so  inexhaustible  that  I  must 
confine  myself  to  one  phase  of  it,  namely,  the  ghosts  and  appar- 
itions, and  even  that  phase  1  find  capable  of  sub-division  into 
various  branches,  for,  on  examining  the  subject,  I  find  there  are 
gentle,  ethereal,  inoffensive  ghosts,  goody-goody  ghosts,  always 
bent  on  some  mission  of  love,  charity,  or  justice  There  are 
ghosts  under  some  inexorable  spell  of  distress  that  visit  the  scenes 
of  their  former  state  of  mortality  in  search  of  some  Christian 
mortal  with  a  courage  that  can  stand  the  test  of  interviewing  and 
being  interviewed  by  a  ghost. 

"  Speak  till  and  hear  what  it  confest, 
And  send  a  wandering  soul  to  rest." 

There  are  malevolent  ghosts,  retributive  and  violent,  with  a  will 
and  power  to  inflict  the  most  convincing  cudgelling  if  the  occasion 
demands  it ;  and  there  are  various  and  innumerable  apparitions  of 
the  devil  in  bodily  form,  cloven-footed,  saucer-eyed,  and  nostrils 
breathing  fire  ;  a  pugnacious  pair  of  horns,  and  what  a  length  of  tail 
behind,  and  then  its  hue  !  Whoever  saw  so  fine  a  blue,  or  green,  or 
black,  white,  for  not  more  varying  are  the  ever  changing  hues  of  the 
chameleon,  than  are  the  different  versions  of  the  appearance  of 
Old  Nick  in  old  Skye.  Now  he  appears  driving  a  carriage  and  six 
black  horses  through  the  air ;  now  as  a  black  parson  preaching 
mock  sermons  to  an  assembly  of  witches,  or  he  assumes  the  role  of 
dominie  and  gives  his  witch  pupils  uncanny  lessons  on  some  dread- 


10  Gaelic  Society  of  /nuerness. 

ful  mystifications  of  the  Black  Art,  or  he  appears  as  a  well-dressed 
gentleman  in  black,  a  decrepit  old  man,  a  labourer,  or  fisherman, 
but  an  accident  always  betrays  his  cloven  hoof,  which  always  dis- 
tinguishes him  in  whatever  guise  he  appears,  and  then  he  vanishes 
iu  flames  of  fire.  Sometimes,  when  he  wants  to  frighten  the 
lieges,  he  is  accompanied  by  infernal  and  hideous  howling 
and  with  the  noise  of  clanking  of  irons,  as  if  all  the  ship  cables  in 
existence  were  dangling  at  his  heels.  As  a  finely  dressed  gentle- 
man he  is  said  to  have  joined  a  party  playing  at  cards  in  Uig  Inn 
late  one  Saturday  night.  The  party  continued  playing  well  on 
into  Sunday  morning,  when-  one  of  the  cards  happening  to  drop  on 
to  the  floor,  the  party  who  lifted  it  was  horrified  to  find  he  was. 
playing  with  the  cloven-footed  gentleman  ;  and  on  raising  the 
alarm  his  satanic  majesty  disappeared  ^through  the  roof  amidst 
flames  of  fire.  How  is  it  the  devil  always  ascends  out  of  sight, 
seeing  his  satanic  majesty  is  supposed  to  live  "down,  down, 
below  ?"  A  Skye  clergyman  of  these  long  ago  olden  times,  the 
famous  Rev.  Mr  Espol  of  Snizort  and  Scorribreck,  the  latter  place 
then  under  crofters — this  rev.  gentleman,  who  was  as  famous  for 
his  feats  of  strength  as  he  was  for  his  preaching,  once  had  a  ser- 
vant girl  who  entered  into  compact  with  the  devil  for  certain 
girlish  considerations,  by  which  all  her  desires  were  to  be  realised. 
The  bargain  was  that  the  gentleman  in  black,  for  as  such  he 
always  appeared  to  her,  was  to  claim  her  as  his  own  at  the  end  of 
a  year  and  a  clay.  True  to  his  word  on  the  appointed  day  he  pre- 
sented himself  at  the  minister's  manse  to  claim  the  girl.  The  girl, 
in  her  perplexity,  sought  counsel  of  the  minister,  and  told  him  the 
whole  story,  while  the  gentleman  in  black  was  kept  waiting  in 
another  room  in  which  was  a  lighted  candle,  but  he  urged  that 
his  time  was  precious  and  that  the  girl  must  accompany  him 
without  further  delay.  At  the  minister's  request,  she  begged  to 
be  allowed  to  stay  till  the  candle  had  burnt  out.  This  being 
agreed  to,  the  minister  immediately  blew  out  the  candle,  inform- 
ing the  gentleman  that  he  would  take  care  that  that  particular 
candle  would  never  burn  out.  The  devil,  thereupon,  made  his 
usual  exit.  As  is  only  natural  to  suppose,  his  sable  majesty  now 
viewed  his  reverence  with  greater  hatred  and  animosity  than  ever, 
and  longed  for  some  favoured  opportunity  of  punishing  him  for 
cheating  him  of  his  victim.  He  had  not  long  to  wait.  His 
reverence  had  to  preach  both  at  Snizort  and  Scorribreck  ;  and,  on 
one  occasion,  the  night  being  fine,  with  moonlight,  he  started  to 
cross  the  wild  range  of  hills  separating  the  two  places,  about  the 
middle  of  the  night.  When  he  had  reached  one  of  the  wildest  and 


Apparitions  of  the  Isle  of  Shye.  11 

gloomiest  parts  of  these  mountain  passes,  he  was  startled  by  all 
the  noises  most  hideous  to  conceive,  accompanied  by  shouting  and 
clanking  of  chains  sutiiceiit  to  rend  the  very  rocks,  and  as  if  all  the 
demons  together  were  let  loose  in  a  crowd,  and  were  jostling  each 
other  in  their  eagerness  to  catch  him.  Being  strong  and  swift  of 
foot  he  betook  himself  to  flight,  with  his  best  foot  forward. 

He  stayed  not  for  brake, 
He  stopped  not  for  stone. 

Never  before,  since  the  famous  chase  of  Daorghlass  after  the  fairy 
Smith  of  Dundiarg,  also  in.  the  same  locality,  was  seen  such 
champion  running.  Knowing  that  a  running  stream  they 
"  daurna  "  pass,  and  this  being  on  before  him,  he  felt  confident  of 
victory. 

He  ran  a  race  and  won.  it,  too, 

For  he  got  first  to  town. 

That  is  to  say  to  his  house,  which  was  far  too  sacred  a  spot  for 
any  imp  of  darkness  to  intrude  into  it ;  besides,  he  had  placed  the 
waters  of  Rigg  between  himself  and  the  enemy,  and  knew  he  was 
safe.  This  and  the  surrounding  districts  are  known  by  the 
common  name  of  "  Brae-an-tu-Shaer  "  (upper  Eastside),  Skye,  and 
it  certainly  seems  to  be'a  favourite  haunt  of  Old  Nick,  for  we 
have  yet  another  story  of  his  daring  there.  Tn  these  grand  old 
times  the  people  used  to  catch  great  numbers  of  salmon  on  the 
lochs  and  rivers,  no  man  forbidding  them.  They  repaired  to  the 
scene  of  operations  as  early  as  possible,  and  as  the  first  arrivals  had 
the  berft  chances,  each  one  tried  to  be  the  first  on  the  ground.  On 
one  occasion,  before  the  Sabbath  had  quite  expired,  one  of  the 
fishers  had  already  arrived  at  the  loch  and  was  surprised  to  see 
some  one  there  before  him.  In  the  darkness  he  took  him  for  one 
of  his  neighbours,  especially  on  heating  himself  addressed  by  name, 
thus,  "  Alasdair  Mhor  a  mhic  Eaiu  Laidir,  cc  's  f  hearr  leat  a  bhi 
gaddagh  na  taoghladh."  On  nearer  approach  he  smelt  something 
uncanny  about  the  stranger,  but,  without  betraying  any  appre- 
hension, he  at  once  answered,  "  'S  f  hearr  1  earn  a  bhi  gaddagh." 
The  stranger  then  began  landing  heaps  upon  heaps  of  fish  all  of 
the  most  magnificent  proportion  and  continued  without  interrup- 
tion to  do  so  until  startled  by  the  crowing  of  a  neighbouring  cock. 
He  took  his  departure  amidst  much  noise  and  confusion,  and 
addressing  his  brother  in  trade  at  parting,  said,  "Alasdair  Mhor 
a  Mhic  Eain  Laidir,  mar  a  biodh  mar  a  tharladh  b'fhada  do 
chuimhne's  air  an  taoghladh.'' 

A  story  is  told  about  one  of  the  good  old  Lairds  of  Tota  Roam 
who,  during  his  life,  had  been  over-indulgent  towards  his  son  and 


12  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

heir,  to  the  effect  that  after  his  death  his  ghost  used  to  pay  stem 
visits  of  correction  to  the  said  son  and  pay  him  a  hundred  fold  the 
stripes  neglected  to  be  imparted  in  this  world.  Instances  of 
unfriendly  or  malicious  actions  by  Skye  ghosts  could  be  multiplied 
without  number.  Every  Skyeman  is  acquainted  with  the  belief 
in  phantom  funeral  processions.  These  ghost  funerals  precede  the 
actual  funeral,  and  follow  the  same  route  afterwards  taken  by  a 
real  funeral.  I  have  myself  heard  people  express  their  belief  in 
these  ghost  processions — saying  it  was  not  advisable  to  walk  in  the 
centre  of  the  road  at  night  in  case  a  "  funeral  "  might  happen  to 
be  passing,  as  in  that  case  they  might  be  thrown  down  and 
trampled  upon. 

Of  ghosts  condemned  to  walk  the  shades  seeking  rest,  but 
finding  none  because  their  bodies  had  not  received  Christian  burial, 
to  inform  upon  their  murderers  and  reveal  where  they  had  hid 
away  their  bodies,  no  end  of  stories  could  be  told.  We 
give  the  following  because  it  can  be  most  easily  verified 
by  legions  of  living  witnesses  between  Staffin  and  Portree, 
and  the  locality,  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Quirang, 
is  known  to  almost  everybody,  and  especially  because  the  story  is 
believed  in  as  a  true  ghost  story  and  on  account  of  the  truthful  and 
sensible  people  who  have  seen  and  heard  things  there  at  uncanny 
hours  of  the  night.  The  exact  scene  of  these  ghost  appearances  is 
a  wild  solitary  mountain  torrent  at  the  back  of  Quirang,  where  it 
forms  an  ugly  black-looking  sort  of  waterfall,  at  a  spot  where  the 
Uig  and  Quirang  coach  road  passes  and  where  the  burn  is  crossed 
by  a  small  wooden  bridge.  It  is  believed  that  a  foul  murder  was 
here  committed  at  one  time,  and  the  body  was  hid  in  the  midst  of 
the  dark  and  uninviting  moor  so  largely  prevailing  here.  A 
respectable  pedlar,  who  had  been  selling  goods  in  various  parts  of 
Skye  from  a  large  pack  which  he  carried  on  his  back,  is  said  to 
have  been  followed  while  crossing  from  Staffin  to  Uig  ;  and  was 
murdered  on  this  spot,  for  the  sake  of  his  money  and  his  pack  ;  and 
that  the  place  was  ever  after  haunted  by  his  ghost.  That  something 
has  been  seen  and  heard  at  this  spot  by  a  number  of  people  does 
not  admit  of  any  doubt,  and,  though  most  of  them  entertained  a 
dread  of  at  all  referring  to  the  subject,  an  honest  Staffin  crofter 
gave  a  detailed  account  of  his  adventures.  He  described  the  ghost 
as  a  well  built  man,  wanting  one  arm,  wearing  a  "  pilot  cloth  " 
jacket,  and  with  a  face  like  "  a  basin  full  of  blood  "  (an  expression 
used  to  describe  a  very  red-coloured  face).  He  started  up  beside 
him,  and  whether  he  walked,  or  ran,  or  stood  still,  there  the  ghost 
was — always  directly  opposite  him,  and  wearing  a  painfully 


Apparitions  of  the  Isle  of  Skye.  1$ 

anxious  look,  as  of  a  man  dying  to  impart  some  important  com- 
munication, but  which,  by  the  inexorable  decrees  of  fate,  he  as  a. 
ghost  was  unable  to  do,  until  first  spoken  to  by  a  mortal  man. 
Unfortunately,  at  the  moment  our  friend  lacked  the  necessary 
courage,  and,  indeed,  the  fact  is  little  to  be  wondered  at.  He  was. 
alone  in  the  midst  of  the  wilderness,  and  quite  at  the  mercy  of  an 
unearthly  ghost.  Between  him  and  his  home  lay  the  long  range 
of  the  Quirang  hills  and  at  least  a  distance  of  a  matter  of  six 
miles  of  a  lone  and  solitary  road.  To  return  to  Uig  was  out  of  the 
question,  for  in  that  case  he  would  have  to  cross  the  abode  of  the 
ghost  a  second  time,  and  that  was  not  to  be  for  a  moment  thought 
of.  How  he  got  home  he  never  exactly  knew,  but  that  he  did  get 
home  more  dead  than  alive  is  matter  of  history.  The  universality 
of  the  belief  in  the  ghost  of  "  Airigh  an  Essain  "  (the  name  of  the 
burn)  often  led  to  laughable  mistakes.  For  example,  an  intelligent 
and  worthy  Staffin  merchant  (still  living),  having  been  to  meet  the 
steamer  at  Uig,  returned  rather  late,  with  a  cart  load  of  goods. 
On  approaching  Airigh  an  Essain,  wow,  but  he  saw  an  unco  sight, 
a  sight  more  than  sufficient  to  make  the  strongest-nerved  ha'r 
stand  on  end,  for  there  in  front  of  him,  marching  with  military 
precision  backward  and  forward  on  the  bridge  of  Airigh  an  Essain, 
was  a  man  of  collosal  stature  in  the  very  spot  where  the  ghost  was 
wont  to  appear.  He  was  unwilling  to  turn  back  to  Uig  with  his 
tired  horse  and  loaded  cart,  but  to  proceed  and  face  the  powers  of 
darkness  seemed  even  more  undesirable.  In  his  perplexity  lie 
ventured  a  timid  shout  of  "Who's  there?"  (co  th'an  sin).  "  Tl  a 
mise,"  came  the  hollow,  really  ghost-like  reply  of  poor  "  Tearlach 
Mhaligir,"  a  poor  wandering  half-witted  neighbour  of  his  own. 
Tearlach  was  often  afterwards  questioned  as  to  what  Mr  So-and-So 
Stvid  to  him  in  reply,  and  his  answer  always  was  "  nam  bu  thig 
an  latha  bhitheas  thu  rithist  ami."  The  poor  ghost  of  Airigh  an 
Essain  seems  to  have  met  a  charitable  Christian  of  courage  at 
last,  for  he  is  said  to  have  described  his  murderer  as  wearing  a  red 
coloured  vest  and  as  living  in  a  house  whose  door  was  towards  the 
north,  an  arrangement  so  uncommon  in  this  part  of  Skye,  owing 
to  the  extreme  coldness  of  the  north  wind,  that  it  might  easily  in 
our  day  furnish  damaging  circumstantial  evidence  if  it  did  not 
happen  to  be  uncanny  information  supplied  b^  a  ghost  of  uncertain 
temperament,  and  who  might  utterly  collapse,  if  not  altogether 
disappear  under  the  fire  of  cross-examination. 

Lochan  nan  Ceann,  near  the  road  leading  to  Cuidrach  Hou-e, 
not  far  from  Uig,  is  another  favourite  ghost- haunted  spot,  accounted 
for  by  the  fact  that  here  also  some  foul  tragedy  wras  once  enacted^ 


14  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Duntulm  Castle,  the  then  residence  of  the  Lords  of  the  Isles,  was 
the  scene  of  many  festivities  and  gatherings  of  the  clans.  A 
clansman  famous  for  his  fabulous  feats  of  strength  and  gigantic 
appearance,  of  the  name  of  Taog  Mor  MacOuinn,  on  leaving  Dun- 
tulm for  his  home  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Cuchullin  Hills, 
'was  accompanied  by  a  piper  from  Duntulm.  While  passim; 
Tobar-nan-Ceann,  Taog  knelt  down  to  drink  out  of  the  well,  and 
while  doing  so  the  other,  moved  either  by  jealousy  or  revenge, 
•quickly  drawing  his  sword,  struck  off  Taog  Mor's  head  at  one 
blow,  and  as  the  head  after  being  severed  from  the  body  rolled 
•down  the  brae,  it  continued  audibly  repeating  the  words  "  Ab, 
ab,  ab."  It  is  satisfactory  to  be  told  that  Lord  Macdonald  had 
the  murderer  instantly  apprehended  and  hanged,  but  the  ghost  of 
one  or  other  of  them  has  continued  to  haunt  the  spot  ever  after. 

Of  ghosts  proper  thore  is  no  end  t^  the  number  or  variety  to 
l>e  found  in  some  odd  old-fashioned  -spots  in  the  Isle  of  Skye.  The 
most  dreaded,  because  most  given  to  merciless  assaults  upon 
inoffensive  and  defenceless  victims,  is  the  ghost  that  pommels  his 
victim. 

The  following  as  a  good  instance  of  this  malicious  or  punish- 
ment-inflicting ghost  may  be  mentioned  : — 

There  lived  in  a  lonely  cottage  at  Kilnialuag,  near  Duntulm, 
Skye,  an  aged  woman  and  her  daughter,  at  a  time  when  the 
-credulous  superstitions  obtained  readier  credence  than  now.  The 
infirmities  of  old  age  at  last  confined  the  old  dame  to  her  bed  ;  and 
-it  was  apparent  to  all  that  her  end  was  not  far  off.  Her  daughter 
was  in  great  distress,  and  being  much  attached  to  her  mother, 
thought  it  would  even  give  her  pleasure  to  receive  communications 
from  her  mother  from  the  other  world,  and,  on  mentioning  this, 
her  mother,  promised,  that  if  in  the  power  of  the  departed,  she 
would  comply  with  her  request.  Shortly  after  the  woman  died, 
and  the  daughter  continued  to  live  alone  in  the  house.  One 
•  evening,  according  to  her  wont,  as  she  sat  in  the  twilight  musing 
on  the  changes  and  vicissitudes  of  human  life,  she  was  startled  to 
perceive  the  apparition  of  her  departed  mother  in  the  apartment, 
and  presently  to  find  herself  seized  hold  of  and  beaten  all  over  her 
body  within  an  ^inch  of  her  last  gasp.  This  was  repeated  every 
night ;  and  the  elders  and  pious  men  of  the  place  had  to  come 
and  watch  with  her,  occupying  the  time  in  reading  and  praying. 
And  when  the  apparition  appeared  at  the  usual  time,  one  of  the 
"  men,"  addressing  it  in  the  name  of  God,  found  out  that  the 
•cause  of  this  unearthly  visitation  was  the  daughter's  unnatural 
request  to  her  before  she  died,  and  being  thus  spoken  to  by  mortal 


Apparitions  of  the  Isle  of  Sky 3.  15 

man  she  was  unable  to  trouble  the  world  further  by  ghostly  visits. 
Sometimes  the  maliciously  inclined  ghost  remains  invisible  while 
visiting  these    expressions    of   his   displeasure    upon    unoffending 
mortals.     This  often  happens  in  the  case  of  haunted  houses.     The 
in  "nates  are  pelted  and  plagued  by  every  manner  of  missile,  with- 
out knowing  how  or  by   whom,  and  instances  are  on  record  in 
which   clever  rogues   attempted,    sometimes    siicessf'ully,  to    play 
the  ghost  after  this  fashion,  an  instance  being  cleverly  detected  in 
Glendale,  in  Skye,  a  few  years  ago.      It  happened  that  in  a  certain 
township  one  of  these  worthy  crofter  tenants  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  his  wife,  but  he  soon  consoled  himself  by  marrying  again. 
Two  grown  up  daughters,   to  whom  this  new  arrangement  was 
distasteful,  thought  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  play  the  role  of  the 
ghost  of  their  mother.       Accordingly,  each  night  after  the  family 
had   retired    to   bed,    the    newly-married    pair   found    themselves 
pelted    and   molested,    while   strange    noises  were   heard  all  over 
the   house.       In    utter   despair,    and    almost  dying    with    fright, 
the    elders    were    sent    for,    but     the     ghosts    did     not     show 
any  inclination   of  yielding  to  the  holy   influence  of  praise  and 
prayer.     On  the   contrary,  while   engaged  in   these  good  offices, 
the    "men"    were    vigorously    pelted    with    clods,     etc.,    and    so 
material   did   the   blows  feel  that  they  arrived  at  the  conclusion 
that  the  ghosts  in    the  present    instance    were  not   the  genuine 
article,  and,  according!}*,  they  discontinued  their  visits.     A  party 
of  Glendale  lads  volunteered  to  exorcise  the  ghosts  in  this  instance, 
and  on  entering  upon  their  vigil  they  resolved  to  watch  as  well  as 
pray,   with  the  result  that   the  girls  were  caught  red-handed  in 
the  very  act.     The  individuals  were  Ann  Bruce,  Nighean  Iain  Mhic 
Challum  Chuinn,   Somherle  Macavurich  Bhain,  Catrionna  Bheag 
na  Ceapannaich,  all  natives,  and  some  at  least,  I  hope,  still  living, 
as  the  ghost  incident  could  not  be  much  further  b;ick  than   about 
1840.     Surely  after  that  no  one  will  ever  have  the  audacity  to 
deny   the    existence    of   ghosts.        The   ghosts    belong   to  a  very 
ancient-  family,     and    were    seen    and    believed    in    from    time 
immemorial.     The   ghost  of  Samuel  appeared  at  the  bidding  of 
the  Witch  of  Endor.     Modern  ghosts  are  more  given  to  command 
than  obey.     The  great  Addison  believed  in  them,  for  he  makes 
some  say  in  answer  to  an   enquiry  as  to  how  ghosts   can  get  into 
houses  with  closed  doors  : — "  Why,  look  ye,  Peter,  your  spirit  will 
creep  you  into  an  augur  hole  ;  he'll  whisk  ye  through  a  key-hole 
without  so  much  as  jostling  against  one  of  the  wards."     Shakes- 
pere   gives  us  ghost  pictures  in  words,   and   makes   each  in  tht-ir- 


16  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

time  play  many  parts.     The  celebrated  Gay  believed  in  them,  for 
lie  tells  us  that — 

The  rooms  ihaunted  been  by  many  a  sprite, 

Some  say  they  hear  the  gingling  of  the  chains, 

And  some  hath  heard  the  psautries  strains, 

At  midnight  some  the  heedless  (headless)  horse  imeet, 

And  oather  things  Fayr  Elfin  and  Elfe. 


2nd  DECEMBER,    1891. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members  at  this  meet- 
lag,  viz.  : — Honorary  members — Mr  Alister  Macdonell,  59  Nevern 
{Square,  London,  S.W.;  and  Mr  George  Macpherson,  8  Walnut 
Street,  Philadelphia,  U.S.A.  Ordinary  members — The  Rev. 
Father  Chisholm,  Nairn ;  the  Rev.  Father  Macqueen,  Inver- 
ness ;  Mr  William  Lawrence,  Swordale,  Evanton  ;  and  Mr  Hugh 
Macdonald,  Audit  Office,  Highland  Railway  Company,  Inverness. 
Thereafter  the  meeting  formed  itself  into  a  "  ceilidh,"  when  a  very 
pleasant  evening  with  song  and  music  was  passed. 

Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.,  moved  "  that  the  Society  record  their 
deep  regret  at  the  death  of  Mr  J.  G.  Campbell,  minister  of  Tyree, 
a  Gaelic  scholar  of  eminence,  an  unrivalled  collestor  of  Gaelic  tales 
and  ballads,  and  a  valuable  contributor  of  papers  to  the  Society's 
meetings  and  Transactions." 

Thereafter  the  "  Flowers  of  the  Forest"  was  played  by  the 
Society's  piper  as  an  apporopriate  requiem. 


17th  DECEMBER,  1X91. 

At  the  meeting  held  on  this  date,  Mr  Geo.  Sinclair,  Caledonian 
Hotel,  Inverness,  was  elected  an  honorary  member  of  the  Society. 
Thereafter  the  Secretary  read  a  paper  contributed  by  Mr  Fraser- 
Mackintosh  of  Drummond  on  the  "  Erasers  of  Foyers,  styled 
Sliochd  Huistean  Fhrangaich."  The  following  is  Mr  Fraser- 
Mackintosh's  paper  : — 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  17 


MINOR   HIGHLAND   FAMILIES,    No.    5. 

THE   FRASERS   OF   FOYERS,    STYLED    "  SLIOCHD 
HUISTEAN    FHRANGA1CH." 

The  three  baronies  of  Abertarff,  Stratherrick,  and  D arris  com- 
prehended nearly  all  those  portions  of  the  great  Glen  of  Albyn 
which  touched  the  eastern  shores  of  Loch  Oich,  Loch  Ness,  and 
the  River  Ness,  and  in  all  the  race  of  Fraser  predominated.  Of 
the  once  numerous  Stratherrick  families,  that  of  Foyers  long  held 
a  conspicuous  position. 

It  is  stated,  on  the  authority  of  the  Ward  law  MS.,  that  Hugh, 
counted  third  Lord  Lovat,  who  died  prior  to  1502,  had  a  naturaj 
son, 

I.  HUIPTEAN,  who,  from  long  residence  in  France,  was  called 
"  Huistean  Fhrang.iich,"  and  his  posterity  styled  "Sliochd  Huistean 
Frangach."     It  is  not  known  to  whom  Huistean  was  married,  nor 
the  period  of  his  death,  but  it  is  undfjrstood  that  he  was  portioned 
by   his  father  in  the  lands  of  Easter  and    Wester   Aberchalder, 
belonging   to  Glengarry,  lying   within   the   barony  of  Abertarff. 
Huistean  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

II.  WILLIAM  FRASER,    who   was    proprietor  of  the  two  Aber- 
chalders,  as  well  as  Little  Bailie hernock  and  Tirchurachan,  in  the 
barony  of  Durris,  his  title  being  "  Over  Callader,"  or  Aberchalder. 
In  1537,  occurs  the  first  connection  of  the  family  with  Foyers,  for 
in  that  year  an  apostolical  warrant  is  granted  by  Pope  Paul  III. 
for  giving  in  feu  to  William  Fraser,  described  as  "  Laici  Moravien," 
the  Church  lands  of  Boleskine  and  Foyers,  dated  at  St  Peter's,  4th 
day  of  the  Ides  of  March,  and  10th  year  of  his  Pontificate. 

At  Elgin,  12th  December,  1541,  Patrick,  Bishop  of  Moray, 
with  consent  of  the  Chapter,  gives  a  charter  to  William  Fraser, 
designed  as  of  "  Over  Callader,"  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body, 
whom  failing  his  brother  german,  Hugh  Fraser,  and  the  heirs 
male  of  his  body,  whom  failing  Hugh  Lord  Fraser  of  Lovat  and 
the  heirs  male  of  his  body,  whom  all  failing,  to  the  nearest  heirs 
male  whomsoever  of  the  said  William  Fraser,  of  the  lands  of 
Boleskine  and  Foyers,  described  as  lying  within  the  barony  of 
Kinmylies,  Lordship  of  Spynie  and  shire  of  Inverness,  at  a  feu  of 
£8  14s  8d  Scots.  This  document  is  in  fine  preservation,  has  two 
splendid  seals  entire  with  about  twelve  signatures  of  Church 
dignitaries  of  Moray.  Other  early  deeds  of  the  Foyers  Estate,  in 


18  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

possession  of  Mr  Walker  of  Ness  Castle,  are  in  remarkable  pre- 
servation, clean  and  fresh  as  though  of  yesterday. 

The  half  davoch  lands  of  Boleskine,  under  the  spelling  of 
"  Buleske,"  are  found  referred  to  as  early  as  1226,  in  connection 
with  some  legal  questions  betwixt  Andrew  Bishop  of  Moray,  and 
Oilbert,  Hostiarius ;  the  lands  of  Foyers,  on  the  other  hand,  not 
being  observed  until  more  than  200  years  later,  when  they,  in  con- 
junction with  Boleskine,  occur  in  James  II. 's  Charter  of  the 
•erection  of  Spynie,  dated  Stirling,  9th  November,  1451. 

Mr  Anderson,  in  his  history  of  the  Frasers,  says  that  William 
Fraser  of  Foyers  was  the  only  gentleman  who  survived  the  battle 
of  Blair-na-leme,  fought  on  15th  July,  1544  ;  and,  having  owed 
his  recovery  to  the  humanity  of  his  foster  brother,  that  person  and 
his  descendants  got  a  free  grant  of  the  croft  they  laboured.  This 
would  rather  infer  that  Foyers  had  permanently  recovered  ;  bub 
this  pleasing  anecdote,  no  doubt  founded  on  tradition,  has  no 
foundation,  for  the  retour  of  his  son  Hugh  service  to  his  father, 
expede  at  Inverness  on  5th  October,  1 563,  expressly  bears  that 
William  of  Foyers  died  in  the  month  of  July,  1544,  so,  if  he  really 
survived,  it  could  have  been  but  15  days  at  the  utmost. 

William  Fraser  was  also  proprietor  of  Mussady  and  Mellagie, 
lands  worth  three  pounds  and  upwards  of  old  extent,  also  of 
Dunterchat  and  Garrogie,  equal  to  a  forty  shilling  land  of  old 
extent,  all  held  of  Lovat.  William  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest 
son, 

III.  HUGH,  who,  upon  25th  April,  1545,  obtains  a  precept  of 
<jlare  constat  from  the  Bishop  of  Moray  for  infefting  him  as  heir  to 
his  father  William,  in  Foyers  and  Boleskine,  upon  which  he  was 
infeft  by  Gilbert  Hay,  notar  of  Moray,  on  10th  June,  1548. 
Upon  10th  March,  1555,  Lord  Lovat  grants  a  precept  for  infefting 
Hugh  Fraser  as  heir  of  his  father  William  in  Mussady  and 
Mellagie.  In  1563,  Hugh  is  served  heir  to  his  father  William  in 
.Aberchalder,  and  being  an  early  service  occurring  at  Inverness,  it 
is  in  part  given,  on  account  of  the  names  of  the  inquest  and  other 
particulars : — 

"  The  heid  Scheref  Curt  of  Innernes  haldin  within  the 
Tolbuyth  of  the  samyn  be  Jasper  Waus  of  Lochslyne  and  John 
Kos  pro  west  of  Innernes  Scheref  Deputtis  of  the  said  Scheref  dom 
to  ane  nobill  and  potent  lord  James  erle  of  Murray  Scheref  prin- 
cipal of  Inuernes  coniunctlie  and  seueralie  specialie  constitute,  the 
fyft  day  of  October  the  zeir  of  God  jm  vc  and  saxtie  thre  zeiris  the 
Suittis  callit  the  Curt  lauchfullie  fensit  and  effermit  as  wse  is,  etc. 
That  day  Maister  Alexander  Dowglas  Procuratour  for  Hucheon 


7 he  Frasers  of  Foyers.  19 

Frayeser  of  Aberchallodour,  exhibeit  and  producit  ane  BreifF  of 
our  souerane  Ladies  Chappell,  impetrat  be  Hucheon  Frayeser  as 
ayr  to  his  omquhil  fadyr,  William  Frayeser  of  Aberchallodour  and 
quhar  na  persoun  nor  pairte  comperit  to  ooieet  nor  oppone  contrar 
the  pointtis  of  the  said  Breive,  the  said  Maister  Alexander 
requyrit  Act  of  Curt,  etc. 

"  Nomina  Inquiaitionis. 

"  Robert  Munro  of  Fowlis,  John  Stewart  of  Kyncarnie,  John 
Name  of  Cromdell,  John  Innes  of  Innerbraky,  George  Munro  of 
Dauchatrye  (Docharty),  Hucheon  Frayeser  of  Gwshauch  (Guis- 
achan),  Walt  Innes  of  Terbett,  Do  well  McFersoun  in  Essye 
(Essich),  Donald  McFarquhar  in  Dawoct  garreocht  (Maclean  of 
Dochgarroch),  Beane  Clerk  in  Dowllcraig  (Dalcrag),  Schim 
McJames  Ire  (our,  or  saor)  in  Ballecharnocht,  Thomas  Frayeser 
portioner  of  Moneak,  Alister  McVuyll  (vie  Dugall)  in  Bontate, 
Duncan  McFersoun  in  Moy. 

"  The  Inqueist  foirsaid  hes  seruit  Hucheon  Frayeser  conform 
to  his  petitioun  and  the  same  pronuncit  be  the  mouth  of  Robert 
Munro  of  Fowlis,  Chancellor  of  the  Assise,  and  quhar  na  persoun 
nor  pairtie  opponit  contrar  the  personis  of  Inqueist,  nor  petitioun  ; 
Upon  the  quhilkis  the  said  Maistir  Alexander  Dowglas  requysit 
Act  of  Curt,  etc." 

The  Inquest  found  that  William  Fraser  died  last  vest  and 
seised  in  all  and  singular  the  lands  of  Little  Balecharnoch  and 
Tirchurachan,  with  the  pertinents  lying  within  the  Barony  of 
Durris.  That  Hugh  Fraser  was  his  son  and  nearest  and  lawful 
heir,  and  of  full  age,  that  the  lands  were  worth  yearly  £8  Scots 
old  extent,  and  in  time  of  peace  worth  20s  yearly.  That  the 
lands  were  held  of  Robert  Dunbar  of  Durris  for  the  payment  of  a 
white  rose  yearly  on  the  feast  day  of  St  John  the  Bapt  st,  and 
that  the  lands  had  lain  unentered  for  the  space  of  nineteeiii  years 
since  the  death  of  William  Fraser  in  the  month  of  July,  1544. 

Hugh  Fraser  married  Margaret  Uiquhart,  and  died  leaving 
issue,  one  daughter  Jane,  who,  in  1573,  was  served  to  the  property 
not  limited  to  heirs  male,  as  heiress  of  line.  Jane — sometimes 
called  Joanna — received  a  precept  of  clare  constat  in  Mussady  and 
Mejlagie,  as  only  daughter  and  heir  of  her  father  Hugh  Fraser, 
fro  m  the  Countess  of  Moray  and  Argyll,  witl  the  consent  of  the 
Earl  of  Argyll,  dated  1st  June,  1575.  These  lands  afterwards 
reverted  to,  or  were  reacquired  by  the  male  head  of  the  family. 
In  the  lands  destined  to  heirs  male  Hugh  was  succeeded  by  his 
brother,, 


20  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

l\T.  WILLIAM,  who  in  1570  is  retoured  as  heir  of  his  brother 
in  Aberchalder,  and  011  1st  August  1584  is  infeft  in  Foyers  and 
Boleskine  on  precept  of  George,  Bishop  of  Moray,  dated  14th  July 
1584,  having  all  his  charters  confirmed  by  the  Crown,  16th 
December,  1592.  William  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

V.  HUGH,  who  was  infeft  in  Foyers  and  Boleskine,  31st  May,. 
1607,  on  precept  by  Alex.,  Bishop  of  Moray,  dated  28th  April, 
1606.     James    Fraser,    brother-german    to   Hugh,    is  one  of  the 
witnesses  to  the  infeftment.     This  was  the   Laird  of  Foyers  who 
by  tradition  rescued  Allan  of  Lundie  from  being  drowned  in  Loch 
Ness   when   swimming  across,  fleeing  from  hot  pursuit  connected 
with  the  invasion  of  Kilchrist.     Hugh  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

VI.  WILLIAM,  who  made  up  titles  to  Aberchalder,  but  not  to 
Foyers.     He  was  in  turn  succeeded  J?y  his  son, 

VII.  HUGH,  who  at  Inverness  on  20th  April,  1648,  is  served 
heir  to  his  father  William  before   Thomas  Schives  of  Muirtown, 
sheriff  depute  of  Inverness,  and  the  following  men  of  Inquest : — 
Thomas   Fraser  of   Struy,    William  Fraser  of  Culbokie,  Duncan 
Forbes  of  Culloden,  John  Cuthbert  of  Castlehill,   James  Cuthbert 
of  Drakies,  William  Baillie  of  Torbreck,  John  Cuthbert  of  Wester 
Drakies,  David  Baillie  of  Dochfour,  John  Poison  of  Bught,  Thomas 
Schives,  younger  of  Muirtown,  Alex.   Fraser  of  Abersky,  Robert 
Baillie,    burgess    of    Inverness,     David    and    William    Cuthberts, 
burgesses    of    Inverness,    and   John    Robertson,    also    Burgess    of 
Inverness,  in  the  two  davochs  of  Easter  and  Wester  Aberchalder 
of  old  extent,  with  the  salmon  fishing  pertaining  thereto  in  Loch 
Oicli.       He  received    a,   charter  of   Foyers  and   Boleskine   dated 
Edinburgh,  15th  August,  1648,   and  the  charter  and  infeftment 
was  confirmed  by  the  Bishop  of  Moray,   1663.     In  1661  it  was 
arranged    that    Hugh    should    have    a   charter    of  Mussady    and 
Mellagie  as  heir  of  his  grandfather  from  Lord  Lovat,  but  the  deed 
was  not  executed.     Hugh's  first  wife   was  Jean  Gray,  who  left 
issue,  and  he  married   secondly  Katharine  Chisholm,  daughter  of 
Alexander  Chisholm  of  Comer,  contract  dated  Erchless,  last  May, 
1658.     Insecurity  of  her  provision,  Katharine  was  infeft  in  the 
half  davoch  of  Boleskine,  excluding  Glenlia,  as  also  in  the  western 
third  of  Mellagy.     In  1651  Hugh  is  pursued  for  a  debt  by  James 
Macpherson  of  Ballachroan,  and  he  incurred  considerable  debts  to 
others. 

Hugh  left  at  least  three  children — the  eldest  and  successor 
being 

VIII.  WILLIAM,  with  whom  Margaret  Mackintosh,  daughter  of 
Alexander  Mackintosh  of  Connage,  is  referred  to  in   1674  as  "his. 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  21 

future  spouse."  His  sister  Elizabeth,  with  his  consent  and  that 
of  her  other  brother  Hugh,  was  married  to  John  Fraser  of  Little 
Garth,  contract  dated  at  Mussadie,  7th  April,  1688.  William 
naturally  was  mixed  up  with  Simon  Lord  Lovat  and  his  affairs 
from  the  time  of  the  death  of  Hugh  Lord  Lovat,  1696.  By  Lord 
Lovat's  memoirs,  it  will  be  seen  that  he,  then  Master  of  Lovat, 
when  in  Stratherrick  in  1698  repelling  the  attack  of  the  Athole 
family,  says,  in  reference  to  the  bloodless  victory  of  Altnagour, 
that  four  days  previous  he  had  assumed  the  title  of  Lord  Lovat, 
having  heard  the  melancholy  news  that  his  father  was  dead  in 
Skye.  The  Baronage  gives  his  death  as  May,  1699,  which  is 
certainly  erroneous.  I  am  able  to  give  one  of  the  earliest  docu- 
ments granted  by  him  in  his  new  position  : — 

"  I,  Simon  Fraser,  Lord  Lovat,  do  bind  myself  for  service  done 
and  to  be  done  me  and  for  mine  by  William  Fraser  of  Foyers,  to 
give  to  the  said  William  Fraser  of  Foyers  and  his,  the  tenth  part 
of  the  country  of  Stratherrick,  after  I  have  fully  conquested  it, 
and  am  in  full  possession  of  it,  without  debate  ;  and  this  providing 
he  continue  true  and  faithful  to  me  as  my  kinsman  and  vassal  all 
his  life  ;  and  for  the  more  security  I  consent  these  presents  be 
registrate  in  the  books  of  Council  and  Session  or  any  other  books 

competent,  and  to  that  effect  I  constitute my  procurators 

that  all  sort  of  diligence  pass  hereon  as  accords.  In  witness 
whereof  1  have  written  and  subscribed  these  presents  at  Poran, 
ye  ninth  day  of  August,  1 698  years. 

(Signed)         "  LOVATT." 

It  is  clear  that  Lord  Lovat  was  of  the  mind  to  divide  Strath 
errick  into  ten  portions,  and  bestow  one  on  each  of  his  important 
clansmen  in  return  for  their  services  in  helping  him  to  recover  his 
estates.  The  name  "  Poran"  was  a  puzzle,  but  as  the  corres- 
ponding obligation  by  Foyers,  vis.  : — a  bond  of  manrent — was 
granted  at  Dochcairn  (the  residence  of  Dochfour),  it  was  inferred 
that  it  must  be  somewhere  not  far  from  either  bank  of  Lochness. 
Upon  enquiring  of  Mr  Alexander  Fraser,  an  old  and  respected 
resident  at  Loinchlerich  of  Errogie,  he  was  good  enough  to  write 
on  23rd  January,  1890,  that  there  was  a  place  in  Gaelic  "  Phoran," 
otherwise  Forbeg,  two  or  three  miles  to  the  west  of  Foyers  Mains, 
now  a  part  of  Knockie  Estate,  but  of  old  belonging  to  Lovat,  and 
one  time  a  populous  place.  The  famous  yew  of  Stratherrick  is 
situated  on  Forbeg.  Prior  to  1715,  William  Fraser  had  given  up 
the  management  of  affairs  to  his  eldest  son  Hugh,  who  is  placed 
as  head,  although  he  predeceased  his  father, 


22  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

IX.  HUGH  ERASER,  whose  exertions  for  Government  are  nar- 
rated in  the  following  petition,  declaration,  and  memorial,  to  the 
First  Lord  of  the  Treasury  in  1716.  Hugh  Fraser,  described  as 
younger  of  Foyers,  who  had  a  charter  of  Mussady  from  Roderick 
Mackenzie  of  Prestonhall  in  1711,  died  prior  to  1720  without 
having  received  any  compensation  from  Government.'  The  matter 
was  moved  in  again  43  years  later  by  his  nephew  Hugh,  also 
without  effect,  and  two  interesting  papers  bearing  on  the  matter 
are  given  at  this  point  although  of  date  1759.  Affidavits  much  of 
a  similar  nature  were  made,  all  in  1759,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Fraser  of  Boleskine,  Mr  Alexander  Fraser,  catechist  at  Durris,  and 
Major  James  Fraser  of  Castleleathers.  The  affidavit  of  the  last  is 
selected  as  being  more  full,  and  is  probably  one  of  his  latest 
acts  : — 

(1.  1716).  "To  the  Honble.  Mr  David  Poison  of  Kinmylies, 
Geo.  Cuthbert  of  Castlehill,  and  Mr  Alex.  Clark,  Provost  of 
Inverness  :  the  petition  of  Hugh  Fraser,  younger  of  Foyers,  one 
of  the  Deputy  Lieutenants  of  the  Northern  Counties — Humbly 
sheweth, — From  the  beginning  of  September  to  the  1st  of  March, 
both  last  past  [Sept.,  1715  ;  March  1716— C.  F.  M.],  I  being 
moved  by  my  affection  to  the  Government,  and  in  obedience  to 
Brigadier  Alex.  Grant,  and  other  friends  of  the  Government,  their 
letters  to  me.  as  well  as  my  own  early  engagement  to  the 
Lieutenancy  and  friends  of  ye  Government,  I  did  devote  myself 
and  my  men  to  the  public  service  by  going  to  the  hills  and 
mountains  of  the  country  until  such  time  as  the  said  Lieutenancy 
did  gather  some  of  their  friends  together,  among  which  I  and  my 
men  were  among  the  first,  by  which  they  were  pleased  to  honour 
me  with  a  commission  of  being  one  of  the  Deputy  Lieutenants  of 
the  north,  whereby  I  and  my  men  were  pointed  forth  to  the 
resentment  of  the  Rebels,  and  I  and  my  tenants  suffered  con- 
siderable losses  and  damages  by  depredations  and  robberies, 
besides  the  damages  of  loss  of  time  and  the  management  of  our 
affairs  at  home,  with  what  I  paid  for  my  own  and  my  men,  our 
charges  to  the  month  of  November,  when  my  chief  came  to  the 
north,  all  occasioned  by  our  attendance  on  the  Government 
service.  And  I  humbly  conceive  that  the  said  Brigadier  and  the 
other  Lieutenants  are  in  justice  obliged,  as  well  as  by  their 
promises,  to  make  up  our  losses,  by  representing  the  same  to  the 
Managers  of  the  Government,  so  I  believe  that  they  would  not 
make  any  difficulty  therein,  if  our  damages  and  losses  were 
ascertained  by  our  oathes. 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  23 

"  May  it  therefore  please  your  Worships  to  allow  us  to  appeal- 
before  you,  and  to  make  affidavit  upon  the  extent  of  the 
loss  and  damages  sustained,  to  the  effect  we  may  ascertain 
our  claims  as  accords. 

(Signed)         "  HUGH  FRASEU." 

"  Inverness,  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  May,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixteen  years, — We  grant  the  desire  of  the  petition, 
and  allow  the  petitioner  and  his  tenants  to  appear  before  us  and 
make  oath  upon  the  extent  of  their  damages  which  they  have 
sustained.  '  (Signed)  "ALEX.  CLARK,  J.P.," 

(      „     )         "  GEORGE  CUTHBERT,  J.P." 

Eodem  Die. 

"  Compeared  Hugh  Fraser,  younger  of  Foyers,  one  of  the 
Deputy  Lieutenants  of  the  north,  who  being  solemnly  sworn  and 
interrogate  in  the  terms  of  the  within  petition,  maketh  oath  :  That 
from  the  beginning  of  September  last  to  the  close  of  November 
thereafter  also  last  bypast,  being  the  time  at  which  his  chief  came 
to  the  north  :  That  he  and  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  were 
obliged  to  stay  in  the  hills  and  braes  of  the  country  and  elsewhere 
as  the  lieutenancy  did  direct  us  upon  our  own  proper  charges,  and 
he  had  not  any  of  the  friends  of  the  Government  within  twenty 
miles  distant  from  him  to  any  airt  ;  by  which,  and  his  own 
personall  charges,  he  did  truly  expend  of  his  own  proper  moneys 
and  effects  to  the  extent  of  the  sum  of  three  thousand  and  forty 
pounds  Scots  money,  and  the  rebells  did  violently  carry  and  rob 
away  from  his  towns  and  lands  the  number  of  seventy-seven  cows 
and  oxen  which  he  values  at  one  thousand  five  hundred  and  forty 
pounds  money  foresaid  ;  nine  horses  at  two  hundred  and  seventy 
pounds  foresaid ;  fifteen  wedders  and  sheep  at  thirty  pounds  fore- 
said  ;  and  plaids  to  the  value  of  twenty  four  pounds  money 
foresaid.  In  all,  extending  to  the  sum  of  four  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  four  pounds  Scots  money  :  And  that  he  and  his  men, 
by  their  attendance  on  his  Majesty's  service  from  the  said  first  of 
September  to  the  first  of  March  last,  when  the  regular  forces  came 
to  Inverness,  have  sustained  considerable  losses  and  damages  in 
their  affairs  and  labouring.  But  they  cannot  declare  the  true 
extent  thereof  upon  oath,  and  they  submit  the  same  to  discretion, 
which  is  truth  as  he  shall  answer  to  God. 

(Signed)         "  HUGH  FRASER." 
"  Jurat  Coram. 

(Signed)         "ALEX.  CLARK,  J.P., 
(     „     )         "  GEO.  CUTHBERT,  J.P." 


24  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

"  To  the  Right  Honble.  Robert  Walpool,  Esquire,  First  Lord 
of  his  Majesty's  Treasury,  The  Memorial  of  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers, 
one  of  the  Deputy- Lieutenants  of  the  county  of  Inverness  — 
Humbly  Sheweth,  That  the  time  of  the  late  Ministry,  when  the 
pensions  were  given  to  the  Highland  Clans,  Alexander  Mackenzie 
of  Fraserdale,  who  pretended  to  represent  the  name  of  Fraser,  was 
one  of  these  Pensioners,  and  offered  the  Memorialist  a  share  of 
that  Pension  to  go  in  to  his  measures,  which  he  absolutely  refused, 
because  he  understood  the  design  was  to  support  the  Pretender's 
interest,  whereupon  the  Memorialist  conveened  several  gentlemen 
of  the  name  of  Fraser,  and  acquainted  them  with  the  same,  and  he 
and  they  signed  a  letter  to  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  giving 
full  assurance  of  their  resolution  to  join  with  his  Grace  in  defense 
of  the  Protestant  succession  as  by  latf  established,  and  likewise 
sent  two  of  their  number  to  Sir  Peter  Fraser  of  Doors,  to  acquaint 
him  of  their  resolution,  who  advised  them  to  send  for  my  Lord 
Lovat  to  France,  to  strengthen  them  in  that  design.  And  accord- 
ingly one  of  their  number  was  sent  to  France,  to  bring  him  home. 
All  which  happened  in  the  last  two  years  of  Her  late  Majestie's 
reign.  That  when  Alexander  Macdonald  of  Glengarry,  and  Colin 
Campbell  of  Glendaruel  were  going  about  in  the  Highlands  to  pro 
cure  subcriptions  to  an  address  to  the  Pretender,  and  had  imposed 
upon  some  of  the  name  of  Fraser  to  sign  the  same,  the  Memorialist 
convened  the  well  affected  gentlemen  of  that  name,  and  signed  an 
address  to  H  is  Majesty  King  George,  with  an  oifer  of  their  lives 
and  fortunes,  to  support  His  Majesty's  just  title  to  the  Crown, 
which  address  was  presented  by  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Argyle. 
Agreeable  to  which  address,  when  the  rebellion  began  in  Scotland, 
the  beginning  of  September  last,  the  Memorialist  convened  160 
men,  though  he  was  sixteen  miles  distant  from  any  of  the  King's 
friends,  and  the  Highland  clans  conveening  all  round  him,  and 
kept  them  in  a  body,  though  he  was  once  attacked  by  seven 
hundred  men  of  the  Earl  of  Seaforths,  whom  he  repulsed,  and  con- 
tinued these  men  upon  his  own  proper  charges  till  the  middle  of 
November,  that  my  Lord  Lovat  came  to  the  country,  who  then 
conveened  all  the  rest  of  his  name  for  His  Majesty's  service  ;  in 
which  the  memorialist  continued  till  they  were  relieved  by  the 
regular  forces  in  March  last.  The  memorialist  was  obliged  to 
maintain  these  men  on  his  own  proper  charges,  which,  with  the 
damage  sustained  by  him  and  his  lands  by  the  Rebells,  amount  to 
six  hundred  pounds  sterling,  besides  the  loss  of  his  time  conform 
to  ane  affidavit  made  before  the  justices  of  Peace  of  Inverness 
county.  Besides  all  what's  above,  the  memorialist  was  sent,  when 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  25 

none  other  would  undertake  it,  by  my  Lord  Lovat  to  Stirling,  by 
way  of  Fort- William,  to  get  intelligence  from  the  Duke  of  Argyle, 
which  was  a  very  expensive  and  dangerous  journey,  several  of  the 
clans  being  in  wait  for  seizing  the  memorialist,  which  is  known  by 
Sir  Robert  Pollock,  governor  of  Fort-William." 

(2.  1759).  "At  Inshoch,  the  nineteenth  day  of  February,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-nine  years,  in  presence  of 
Alexander  Inglis,  Esquire,  Sheriff-Substitute  of  the  Shyre  of  Nairn, 
compeared  Major  James  Fraser  of  Castleleathers,  aged  eighty-eight, 
and  going  on  eighty-nine,  who  being  solemnly  sworn,  maketh  oath, 
and  says  That  he  was  well  acquainted  with  the  deceased  Hugh 
Fraser  of  Foyers,  and  that  he  knows  when,  in  the  end  of  the  laty 
Queen  Anne's  reign,  pensions  were  distributed  among  the  High- 
laud  clans,  and  that  Alexander  Mackenzie  of  Fraserdale,  who  then 
possessed  the  estate  of  Lovat,  and  was  married  to  the  eldest 
daughter  of  Hugh  Lord  Lovat,  had  one  of  those  pensions,  and 
made  ane  offer  of  part  of  it  to  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  for  coming  in  to 
his  measures.  The  said  Hugh  Fraser  refused  to  accept  the  same, 
as  he  understood  it  was  to  support  the  Pretender's  interest ;  and 
that  some  time  after,  the  said  Hugh  Fraser.  and  the  deceased  Hugh 
Fraser  of  Stray,  and  Alexander  Fraser  of  Culduthel,  and  he,  the 
said  James  Fraser,  met  together  and  wrote  a  letter  to  the  late 
Duke  of  Argyle  acquainting  him  of  what  had  passed,  and  that 
they  were  ready  to  raise  the  greatest  part  of  the  Clan  Fraser,  and 
join  with  his  Grace  in  support  of  the  Protestant  succession.  That 
the  said  Hugh  Fraser  went  afterwards  to  Edinburgh  by  advice  of 
the  well-affected  gentlemen  of  the  name  of  Fraser,  and  was  by  the 
deceased  Mr  James  Cuthbert,  who  was  minister  of  Culross,  and  a 
relation  of  the  Family  of  Lovat,  introduced  to  such  as  were  in 
concert  at  Edinburgh  to  support  the  Protestant  succession.  That 
he  likeways  knows  when  the  late  Alexander  Macdonell  of  Glen- 
garry and  Colin  Campbell  of  Glendaruel  were,  after  the  death  of 
the  late  Queen  Ann,  soliciting  ane  address  among  the  Highland 
Clans  to  the  Pretender.  The  said  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers  refused 
to  sign  the  same,  and  that  he  and  the  other  gentlemen  of  the  name 
of  Fraser  who  were  above  mentioned  drew  up  ane  address  to  his 
late  Majesty,  which  they  sent  to  the  late  Duke  of  Argyle  ;  That 
he  likeways  knows  when,  after  the  accession  of  his  late  Majesty, 
the  Rebellion  broke  out  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  fifteen,  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers  (who  had  then  been 
appointed  by  his  Majesty  one  of  the  Deputy  Lieutenants  in  the 
north)  did,  at  his  own  expense,  raise  a  body  of  men  for  the  King's 
Service  when  the  other  Highland  Clans  were  gathering  around  to 


26  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

go  to  Perth,  and  that  the  body  of  men  which  he  raised  joined  the 
Earl  of  Sutherland  and  the  late  Lord  Lovat  when  they  got  to- 
the  country,  and  raised  their  men  for  the  King's  Service,  and  that, 
at  the  request  of  the  late  Lord  President  Forbes  and  his  brother, 
the  late  John  Forbes  of  Culloden,  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  put  a 
garrison  of  his  men  in  the  house  of  Culloden,  and  defended  it 
against  the  Rebels  who  were  then  in  possession  of  the  town  of 
Inverness,  within  two  miles  of  the  said  House,  and  when  the  Earl 
of  Sutherland  and  the  late  Lord  Lovat,  after  they  came  to  the 
country  and  had  raised  so  many  men  for  the  servcie  of  his  late 
Majesty,  and  wanted  to  send  some  intelligence  to  the  late  Duke  of 
Argyle,  then  at  Stirling  with  his  Majesty's  Troops,  the  said  Hugh 
Fraser  was  the  person  singled  out  to  go  with  their  Dispatches,  and 
that  he  remembers  he  went  and  returned  in  the  winter  tyme  from. 
Stirling  to  Perth,  where  th«  greatest  part  of  the  Clan  Fraser  were 
with  Fraserdale  then  in  Rebellion,  and  by  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  of 
Foyers'  connection  with  and  influence  on  that  part  of  the  Clan 
made  about  three  hundred  of  them  desert  in  one  night,  who,  upon 
their  home-coming,  joined  the  late  Lord  Lovat  and  the  Earl  of 
Sutherland,  who  were  then  in  arms  for  his  Majesty  King  George  : 
That  he  knows  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  was,  during  the  said. 
Rebellion,  at  a  considerable  expense  in  the  service  of  the  Govern- 
ment beyond  what  his  small  estate  could  afford,  and  that  he  run 
in  debt  on  that  account.  That  he  lykeways  knows  he  and  his 
tenants  did  suffer  damage  in  that  tyme  of  the  Rebels,  tho'  he  does 
not  at  this  distance  of  tyme  remember  the  particulars.  That  he 
lykeways  knows  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  after  the  Rebellion  (was 
suppressed)  made  out  a  state  of  his  case  and  ane  affidavit  of  his 
losses,  in  order  to  be  laid  before  Sir  Robert  Walpole  ;  and  Furder, 
that  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  told  him,  the  deponent,  then  at  London,, 
that  he  was  desired  by  the  late  General  Cadogan,  with  whom  he 
was  acquainted  when  that  General  was  in  the  North  of  Scotland, 
to  come  up  to  London,  and  that  he  should  have  his  interest  with 
the  Ministry  to  have  his  losses  made  up  and  a  place  or  pension, 
given  him  for  his '  loyalty  and  attachment.  P»ut  upon  his 
telling  Lord  Lovat  that  he  was  to  apply  to  General  Cadogan  for 
that  end,  he,  Lord  Lovat,  absolutely  discharged  him,  as  it 
then  happened  Lord  Lovat  and  General  Cadogan  were  of 
different  parties  ;  and  Lord  Lovat,  in  the  Deponent's  hearing,  at 
sundry  times  when  they  were  at  London,  desired  Hugh  Fraser  of 
Foyers  to  goe  home,  and  that  he  would  take  care  of  his  interest 
both  at  London  and  home,  and  that  he  would  advance  him  money 
to  pay  all  the  losses  he  had  sustained  and  debt  he  had  contracted 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  27 

in  support  of  the  Government ;  and  moreover  depones  that  Lord 
Lovat  brought  the  said  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers  to  wait  of  the  late 
Duke  of  Argyle,  who  gave  him  his  hand  and  assured  him  as  soon 
as  it  was  in  his  power  he  should  be  provided  for  :  and  Furder 
depones  that  it  consists  with  the  deponent's  knowledge  that  the 
said  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers  by  his  dexterity  and  management  in 
many  particulars  was  at  that  period  very  instrumental  in  quelling 
the  then  rebellion  in  the  north  ;  and  siklyke  Depones  that  the 
present  James  Fraser  of  Foyers  was  the  first  man  of  four  who  had 
entered  into  a  resolution  to  stand  by  the  Government  when  the 
Rebellion  of  jm  viic  and  forty-five  broke  out,  who  signed  a  letter 
to  the  present  Duke  of  Argyle  for  that  purpose,  which  Deed  being 
made  known  to  the  late  Lord  Lovat,  nothing  but  destruction  was 
denounced  against  him  by  Lord  Lovat  for  entering  into  such 
without  his  knowledge,  which  the  deponent  believes  and  had 
reason  to  know  as  well  as  many  others,  was  the  sole  cause  of  the 
said  James  Fraser  of  Foyers  his  being  induced  by  Lord  Lovat  to 
go  into  the  last  Rebellion,  as  Lovat  kept  a  sum  of  money  that 
was  due  him  by  Foyers  as  a  fferule  over  his  head,  and  being  a 
weak  man,  though  honest,  was  by  him  intimidate  from  putting 
his  former  resolution  in  execution,  which  is  truth  as  he  shall 
answer  to  God,  and  Depones  he  cannot  write  by  reason  of  a  tremor 
in  his  hand.  (Signed).  "  ALEX.  INGLIS. 

(       ,,     )          "  GEO.  DONALDSONS." 

(3.  1759).  "George  Drummond,  Esquire,  Lord  Provost  of 
Edinburgh,  maketh  oath  and  says,  That  he  was  acquainted  with 
the  deceased  Hugh  Fraser  of  Foyers,  and  that  it  consists  with  his 
knowledge  The  said  Hugh  Fraser  did  come  to  Edinburgh  in  the 
end  of  the  late  Queen  Anne's  reign,  and  was  introduced  to  him 
and  some  other  gentlemen  who  were  then  in  concert  to  support 
the  Protestant  Succession  in  his  late  Majesty's  Family  in  the  event 
of  the  Queen's  death,  as  a  gentleman  of  Family  who  had  a  con 
siderable  interest  among  the  Clan  Fraser,  and  that  the  said  Hugh 
Fmser  did  treat  and  settle  with  him  and  the  other  Gentlemen  in 
the  concert,  that  he  would  undertake  for  the  greatest  part  of  the 
Clan  Fraser,  to  join  with  them  in  support  of  the  Protestant 
Succession  in  his  said  late  Majesty's  person  and  Family,  and  that 
if  they  took  the  field,  He  would  raise  a  body  of  men  and  endeavour 
to  join  them.  That  the  Gentlemen  in  this  concert  were,  Colonel 
John  Erskine  of  Carnock,  Colonel  William  Maxwell  of  Cardoiiesse, 
Colonel  John  Blackatter,  Captain  John  Campbell  of  Wellwood, 
Major  James  Aikman,  Henry  Cunninghame  of  Balquhan,  John 
Campbell,  late  Provost  of  Edinburgh,  Archibald  Macauley  also 


28  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

late  Provost  of  Edinburgh,  and  Mr  James  Cuthbert,  minister  at 
Culross,  who  are  all  of  them  now  dead,  except  the  said  Archibald 
Macauley,  and  the  Declarant.  That  there  were  some  others 
whose  names  he  does  not  now  particularly  remember,  and  that  a 
part  of  their  plan  was  to  make  what  interest  they  could  among 
the  Highland  Clans,  by  means  of  such  Gentlemen  as  they  under- 
stood to  be  well  affected,  and  have  influence  among  them.  He 
further  says  that  after  the  Accession  of  his  late  Majesty,  when  in 
the  winter  of  the  year  jm  viic  and  fifteen,  he  was  at  Stirling  with 
the  late  Duke  of  Argyle,  who  then  commanded  his  Majesty's 
Troops  in  Scotland,  he  remembers  to  have  seen  the  said  Hugh 
Fraser  of  Foyers  come  there  to  the  said  Duke,  and  ths.t  he 
brought  him  some  important  intelligence  from  the  King's  Friends, 
then  assembled  in  the  north,  and  that  he^particularly  remembers 
the  paper  he  brought  was  concealed  in  the  heart  of  a  stick  he 
walked  with  in  his  hand  ;  and  that  there  was  at  the  time  a  great 
fall  of  snow  upon  the  ground,  and  that  he  returned  with  an  answer 
from  the  Duke  to  the  King's  friends  in  the  north. 

(Signed)         "  GEO.  DRUMMOND. 

Sworn  before  me  at  Edinburgh,  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1759.  (Signed)  "AND.  SIMPSON,  J.P." 

Hugh  was  succeeded  by  his  brother 

X.  JAMES,  described  in  1719  as  only  brother  to  the  deceased 
Hugh  Fraser,  younger  of  Foyers.  He  received  much  kindness 
in  arranging  the  embarrassed  affairs  of  the  family  from  Lord 
Lovat,  who  on  30th  September,  1725,  granted  him  letters  of 
Bailiary  over  the  lands  of  Stratherrick.  Mr  Anderson,  in  his 
history  before  alluded  to,  gives  currency  to  the  story  of  Lord 
Lovat's  having  been  accessory  to  the  serious  outrage  in  the 
slaughter  of  one  hundred  milch  cows  belonging  to  Castlehill,  and 
the  destruction  of  his  enclosures.  A  perusal  of  the  following 
letter  must  acquit  his  lordship  of  this  odious  charge  : — 

"  Bath,  the  23rd  of  September,  1724. 

"  Dear  Foyers, — How  soon  you  receive  this  letter  I  desire  you 
to  come  immediately  into  Inverness,  and  find  out  the  authors  of 
the  base  calumony  (wrote  of  you,  to  me  and  Col.  Munro),  that  by 
your  direction  the  murdering  villain  Donald  Dubh,  'Clessick,' 
killed  and  destroyed  Castlehills  cows.  I  know  and  believe  in  my 
soul  you  are  very  innocent,  bur.  you  deserve  this  misfortune  for 
keeping  that  rogue  in  your  hands  after  my  threatening  letter  to 
you  that  I  would  never  speak  to  you  if  you  did  not  seize  him  and 
deliver  him  bound  to  Culloden.  This  story,  though  false,  will 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  2$ 

ruin  for  ever  your  reputation  if  you  do  not  find  out  the  authors, 
and  get  due  and  honourable  satisfaction.  It  may  likewise  do  me 
hurt,  so  I  desire  for  your  own  sake  and  mine,  to  trace  out  the  story 
and  behave  like  a  gentleman  ;  and  if  that  villain  can  be  had,  seize 
him  and  deliver  him  to  Culloden  as  I  desired  you  before.  If  you 
do  not  this  I  shall  renounce  jou  as  my  friend,  relation,  or 
acquaintance,  and  I  shall  never  see  your  face  when  I  can  shun  it. 

"  If  you  can  find  no  author,  bring  two  or  three  honest  gentle- 
men with  you  to  the  Cross,  and  to  Cuthbert's  Coffee  House,  and 
tell  aloud  that  any  who  were  the  authors  or  promoters  of  that 
calumny  are  rogues  and  rascals.  Call  on  my  friend  and  doer  at 
Inverness,  Commissary  Munro,  and  he  will  advise  you.  I  long  to 
know  how  you  will  behave,  and  of  all  friends,  dear  Foyers,  your 
own,  (Signed)  "  LOVAT." 

Foyers,  who  was  counted  by  his  contemporaries  as  rather  a 
weak  man,  married  Katherine  Fraser,  and  left  two  sons — Hugh, 
who  succeeded,  and  Simon,  also  one  da  ighter,  Anne.  He  went  out 
in  1745,  and,  perhaps,  the  most  important  document  he  received  in 
connection  with  the  rising,  was  the  following,  which  has  most 
fortunately  been  preserved,  and  having  the  seal  in  good  order. 
It  would  seem  that  Prince  Charles'  advisers  thought  no  duty  could 
be  more  agreeable  to  Lord  Lovat  than  to  apprehend  the  President, 
He  hesitated,  however,  to  commit  himself  so  openly,  and  the 
business  was  entrusted  to,  but  not  executed  by,  Foyers,  whose 
elder  brother,  Hugh,  had  taken  jrreat  credit  for  defending  of 
Culloden  in  1715. 

(L.S.) — "  Charles,  Prince  of  Wales,  and  Regent  of  Scotland, 
England,  France,  -and  Ireland,  and  the  Dominions  thereunto  belong- 
ing, To  James  ftraser  of  Foyers — Whereas  we  gave  a  warrant  some 
time  ago  to  the  Lord  Lovat  to  apprehend  and  secure  the  person  of 
Duncan  Forbes  of  Culloden,  which  warrant,  for  sufficient  reason, 
he  could  not  put  into  execution  :  We  now  jiidge  it  necessary 
hereby  to  impower  you  to  seize  upon  the  person  of  the  above- 
named  Duncan  Forbes,  and  when  you  have  so  seized  and 
apprehended  him,  to  carry  him  prisoner  to  us  at  Edinburgh,  or 
where  we  shall  happen  to  be  for  the  time,  for  the  doing  of  which 
this  shall  be  your  warraiid.  Given  at  His  Majesty's  Palace  of 
Holyroodhouse,  the  Twenty-third  day  of  September,  1745. 
"  By  his  Highness'  Command. 

(Signed)         "  Jo.  MURRAY." 

XL   HUGH,   the  eldest  son  of  James,   no  doubt,   in  connection 
with  the  latter  having  taken  up  arms,  had  the  estates  made  over 


30  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

to  him  by  disposition,  dated  at  Foyers,  5th  November,  1745  He 
married  Christian  Cameron,  youngest  daughter  of  Archibald 
Cameron  of  Dungallon,  contract  dated  Strontian,  29th  June,  1742. 
There  was  a  large  gathering  at  the  function,  and  amongst  the 
bride's  friends  were  John  Cameron,  then  of  Dungallon,  her 
brother,  John  Cameron  of  Fassifern,  Alexander  Cameron  of  Glen- 
evis,  Doctor  Archibald  Cameron,  brother  to  Lochiel,  and  Allan 
Cameron,  brother  to  Glendessary  ;  and  besides  old  Foyers,  who 
accompanied  his  son,  the  latter  was  supported  by  Thomas  Fraser 
of  Garthmore,  and  his  sons  John  and  William. 

Of  this  marriage  there  were  issue,  John,  Simon,  Isabel,  mar- 
ried in  1770  to  George  Cameron  of  Letterfinlay,  Jean  and 
Katherine,  described  in  her  post-nuptial  contract  of  marriage  with 
the  Rev.  Alexander  Fraser  of  Kilmirilie,  dated  1st  and  6th 
February,  1787,  as  third  lawful  daughter  of  Hugh  Fraser  of 
Foyers. 

The  affairs  of  the  family  were  so  embarrassed  that  Hugh  had 
to  make  up  titles  by  a  friendly  adjudication,  and  was  indebted 
to  the  substantial  assistance  of  General  Simon  Fraser  of 
Lovat.  The  letter,  after  given  to  James  of  Foyers,  dated  the 
very  day  the  first  Fraser  Fencibles  were  ordered  to  be  raised,  must 
be  interesting  to  all  of  the  name  in  especial  : — 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  am  sure  it  will  give  you  pleasure  to  know  that 
His  Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  signify  his  intention  of 
appointing  me  to  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  Highlanders  to  be 
forthwith  raised  for  American  service.  And  as  the  quickness  that 
is  expected  in  raising  them  is  a  great  inducement  for  the  measure, 
I  flatter  myself  my  friends  will  leave  no  stone  unturned  to  have 
this  done  with  credit  to  me,  whose  honour  and  interest  through 
life  depend  on  my  success  in  this,  and  I  am  satisfied  I  may  on 
every  occasion  as  well  as  on  this  depend  on  you  in  what  so  nearly 
concerns  me.  As  I  have  not  time  to-night  to  write  to  every  one 
whose  assistance  I  expect,  I  must  beg  you  will  communicate  this 
to  such  gentlemen  as  you  think  proper.  I  shall  endeavour  to  pro- 
cure commissions  for  somp  young  gentlemen  of  the  name,  but 
these  particulars  must  be  subject  of  another  letter.  I  thought  it 
necessary  to  give  you  and  the  other  friends  this  early  notice,  that 
you  may  take  measures  in  the  meantime  for  exerting  yourselves 
with  vigour  in  my  behalf.  I  offer  my  compliments  to  your  lady, 
and  all  friends,  and  always  am  very  sincerely,  my  dear  Foyers, 
yours,  (Signed)  S.  FRASER. 

*<  London,  4th  January,  1757." 


The  Frasers  of  Foyers.  31 

James  Fraser  of  Foyers  and  his  wife  Katharine  are  both  alive 
in  1759.  Hugh  Fraser's  eldest  son  John,  who  had  on  12th  March, 
1774,  received  a  commission  in  Lord  Adam  Gordon's  Co.,  1st 
Battalion  1st  Royals,  died  without  issue,  and  the  succession  opened 
up  on  Hugh's  death  in  1790,  to  his  second  son, 

XII.  SIMON  FRASER,  last  Laird  of  Foyers  of  Sliochd  Huistean 
Frangach.  Simon  Fraser,  born  in  1760,  married  Elizabeth  Grant, 
daughter  of  Patrick  Grant  of  Glenmoriston,  post-nuptial  contract 
is  dated  26th  and  30th  March,  1789.  In  1778  Simon  Fraser 
received  commission  as  lieutenant  of  the  Northern  Fencibles,  and 
was  made  a  Burgess  of  Kircudbright.  In  the  following  year  he  is 
admitted  Burgess  of  St  Andrew's,  and  in  1794  he  is  Captain  in  the 
Strathspey  Fencibles. 

In  the  severe  straggle  for  the  representation  of  Inverness- shire, 
at  the  beginning  of  the  century,  twixt  the  Lovats  and  Grants, 
Foyers,  no  doubt  through  his  connection  with  Glenmoriston,  sup- 
ported Mr  Charles  Grant.  This  gave  mortal  affront  to  the  Hon. 
Archibald  Fraser,  who,  an  adept  at  nicknames,  dubbed  him  for 
ever  after  to  be  no  longer  known  as  Simon  Fraser,  but  "  Simon 
Grant."  Lovat  carried  his  resentment  still  further  by  obtaining 
possession  of  excambion  of  the  Glebe  of  Boleskine,  in  the  heart  of 
Foyers  Estate,  whereon  he  built  Boleskine  House,  and  resided 
there  pretty  constantly,  troubling  him  with  marches  and  fencing, 
and  proving  a  thorny  reminder  to  "  Simon  Grant  "  of  the  latter's 
misdoings. 

Foyers'  only  child  Jean,  a  young  lady,  judging  by  her  letters, 
of  an  unusually  amiable  and  pious  disposition,  married  Captain 
Thomas  Fraser  of  Balnain  in  1817,  dying,  much  lamented,  same 
year,  in  the  flower  of  her  age.  Foyers  himself  was  most  hospitable. 
No  one  ever  passed  his  door  who  had  the  remotest  claims  upon 
him,  and  his  house  was  a  veritable  hotel.  Unfortunately  he  was 
of  an  easy  temper,  readily  cajoled.  His  own  debts  at  the 
beginning  of  the  century  did  not  exceed  £2000,  but  he  became 
involved  with  Rothiemurchus,  Letterfinlay,  Anderson  of  Gortuleg, 
and  numerous  others,  so  that  in  1825  it  had  run  up  to  ,£10,000, 
and  by  1836  to  £14,000.  After  his  death,  on  27th  April,  1842, 
the  estates  fell  under  sequestration,  but  all  creditors  were  ulti- 
mately paid,  as  the  estate  fetched  a  handsome  price. 

In  no  part  has  there  been  greater  changes  than  in  Stratherrick. 
Many  years  ago  I  wrote  an  article,  "  The  Stratherrick  Frasers  : 
where  are  they  ?  "  The  question  may  be  repeated  now.  In  the 
male  line  there  are  three — Landowners — Lovat,  Ardochie,  and 
Balnain,  and  in  the  female  line  one — Aldourie,  four  in  all.  But 


32  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

where  are  the  important  families  of  Farraline,  Gortuleg,  Abersky,. 
and  Ardochy,  Bochruber  and  Bunchegavie,  Dalcrag,  Dunchea,  Dell 
and  Drummond,  Errogie  and  Erchite,  Garthmore,  Garthbeg  and 
Glendo,  Knockie,  Kinbrylie,  Knockcoilum  and  Kininonavie,  Lead- 
chine,  Migavie,  and  others  1  The  ancients  who,  each  in  their  day, 
\vell  fulfilled  their  parts, 

"  After  life's  fitful  fever,  sleep  well  " 

in  that  picturesque  sacred  ground  overlooking  the  queen  of  High- 
land lakes,  undisturbed,  even  although  Loch  Ness  may  be  lashed 
into  fury  by  the  winter  storm  ;  the  Fechlin  may  roar  in  angry 
flood  ;  or  the  "  Feadanun  Straharrigag,"  tuning  up  and  encourag- 
ing each  other  "  Seid  Suas  " — "Seid  Suas  " — may  whistle  suffici- 
ently shrilly  and  piercingly  to  satisfy  even  Boreas  in  his  breeziest 
mood.  But  few  of  their  descendants^are  to  be  found  in  Strath- 
errick,  and  the  great  bulk  lie  low  elsewhere,  or  must  be  searched 
for  in  the  Lowlands,  in  England,  in  India,  in  Australasia,  in  the 
United  States,  and  chiefly  in  the  great  Dominion  of  Canada. 

Cha  till  iad  gu  brath 

Gu  la  mor  a  chruiuno. 

I  have  thus  narrated  the  history  of  the  main  line  of  Huistean 
Frangach,  which,  now  landless,  save  the  little  burial  ground  on 
the  Black  Rock  of  Foyers,  held  its  own  under  many  vicissitudes  for 
over  300  years  with  credit  and  respect. 


18th  JANUARY,  1892. 
TWENTIETH  ANNUAL  DINNER. 

The  Twentieth  Annual  Dinner  of  the  Society  was  held  in  the 
Victoria  Hotel  this  evening.  The  chair  was  to  have  been  taken 
by  Mr  J.  Douglas  Fletcher  of  Rosehaugh,  Chief  of  the  Society,  but 
the  roads  in  the  Black  Isle  being  blocked  with  snow,  a  telegram 
was  received  $tating  that  he  found  it  impossible  to  be  present.  A 
number  of  other  prominent  gentlemen  were  similarly  detained. 
Provost  Ross  presided,  and  Bailie  Mackenzie  and  Mr  Alex.  Mac- 
bain,  M.A.,  acted  as  croupiers. 

After  dinner,  the  Chairman  proposed  the  loyal  toasts,  followed 
by  that  of  the  Army,  Navy,  and  Reserve  Forces. 


Twentieth  Annual  Dinner.  33 

The  Secretary  thereafter  read  letters  of  apology  for  absence 
from  a  large  number  of  members  of  the  Society,  and  submitted 
the  annual  report  of  the  Executive,  which  was  as  follows  : — 

"  The  Council  are  in  a  position  to  state  that  the  prosperity  and 
usefulness  which  marked  the  history  of  the  Society  in  past  years 
still  continue.  Valuable  papers  were  read  at  the  Society's  meet- 
ings during  session  1890-91.  and  these  will  appear  in  the 
seventeenth  volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions,  which  is  at 
present  in  the  press,  and  will  soon  be  delivered  to  the  members. 
The  syllabus  for  session  1891-92  is  in  the  hands  of  the  members 
present,  and  contains  papers  on  subjects  of  great  interest  to 
Highlanders.  For  The  Mackintosh's  prize  of  ten  guineas  for  the 
best  essay  on  "  The  Social  Condition  of  the  Highlands  since  1800," 
three  competitors  appeared,  and  the  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr  A. 
Poison,  Dunbeath,  Caithness.  During  the  year,  27  new  members 
joined  the  Society,  viz.,  1  life  member,  3  honorary  members,  and 
23  ordinary  members.  Donations  of  several  volumes  were  made 
to  the  library.  The  accounts  of  the  Society  for  the  past  year 
show  the  following  results,  viz.  : — Total  income  during  year 
(including  £23  brought  forward  from  previous  year,  and  a  donation 
of  £25  from  Mr  Fletcher  of  Rosehaugh,  Chief  of  the  Society), 
£163  18s  5d  ;  expenditure,  £129  4s  5d  ;  leaving  a  balance  at  the 
credit  of  the  Society's  bank  account,  with  the  Bank  of  Scotland, 
of  £34  13s.  The  large  outlay  from  year  to  year  incurred  by  the 
Society  in  connection  with  the  publication  of  the  Transactions  is  a 
heavy  drain  upon  the  revenue,  and  the  Council  hope  that  other 
gentlemen  interested  in  the  Highlands  will  follow  the  excellent 
.example  of  Mr  Fletcher  this  year,  and  of  The  Mackintosh,  Sir 
Kenneth  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch,  and  Mr  Macdonald  of  Skaebost, 
in  previous  years.  The  Council  find  that  the  ordinary  subscrip- 
tions paid  by  the  members  are  not  sufficient  without  some  such 
special  gifts  to  meet  the  Society's  expenditure,  and  they  are 
.  unwilling  to  diminish  the  Society's  usefulness  by  curtailing  the 
annual  volume. 

The  Chairman  then  proposed  the  toast  of  the  evening, 
"  Success  to  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness."  He  explained  that 
although  the  Chief  was  detained  at  home,  he  had  sent  his  speech, 
which  he  would  read  to  the  meeting.  It  was  as  follows  :— 

Before  submitting  to  you  the  toast  of  the  evening,    "  Success 

to  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,"  allow  me  to  tender  you  my 

-  heart-felt   thanks  for  the   great  honour  you  have  conferred    upon 

me  by  electing  me  Chief  of  this  important  and  influential  Society. 


34  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

I  do  not  indulge  in  the  language  of  flattery  when  I  say  that  I 
appreciate  your  kindness  more  than  I  can  express,  and  I  shall 
always  look  back  with  pride  upon  the  period  during  which  I  have 
enjoyed  this  special  mark  of  your  favour.  With  regard  to  my  own 
fitness  for  the  office,  and  your  wisdom  in  selecting  me,  I  shall  say 
nothing,  except  that  you  must  accept  all  responsibilities  for  my 
shortcomings.  I  also  consider  it  right  that  I  should  repeat  now, 
what  I  have  already  expressed  in  writing,  my  deep  regret  for  not 
being  able  to  be  present  at  the  annual  re-union  of  the  members  of 
the  Society  in  the  month  of  July.  Up  to  the  eleventh  hour  1  had 
fully  intended  being  present,  but  I  was  forced  to  keep  another 
engagement,  which  would  not  by  any  possibility  admit  of  being 
put  off,  and,  consequently,  had  to  fall  back  upon  a  substitute.  I 
was  particularly  gratified  to  understand  that  the  meeting  was  a 
great  success.  I  am,  1  need  hardly  say,  more  than  delighted  to 
be  here  this  evening,  and  to  see  present,  notwithstanding  the 
influenza,  which  is  making  such  ravages  all  over  the  country,  such 
a  large  number  of  well  known  gentlemen.  And  among  these  I 
am  glad  to  recognise  not  a  few  who  have  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  upbuilding  of  the  Society,  and  extending  its  sphere  of  useful- 
ness far  and  wide.  Gentlemen,  I  need  hardly  tell  you  that  I 
heartily  sympathise  with  the  aims  and  objects  of  this  Society. 
It  is  now  on  the  point  of  attaining  its  majority,  and  I  therefore 
consider  it  a  very  fitting  time  to  take  a  cursory  retrospective  view 
of  its  past  work,  and  then  I  should  like  to  indulge  for  a  few 
minutes  in  a  prospective  view  of  what  the  Society  is  still  likely  to 
do.  Well,  then,  gentlemen,  what  has  the  Society  done  during 
these  twenty  years  of  its  existence  1  Much  every  way.  But, 
gentlemen,  much  btill  remains  to  be  done.  For  a  recerd  of  the 
work  accomplished  during  these  years,  I  have  only  to  refer  you  to 
the  sixteen  volumes  of  the  Transactions  of  the  Society,  which  con- 
tain a  rich  store  of  choice  and  valuable  literature,  bearing  upon 
the  language  and  customs  of  the  Gael.  As  you  are  well 
aware,  this  Society  has  not  been  the  first  in  the  field,  to 
represent  the  Highland  race,  but  without  intending  any 
disparagement,  when  we  compare  the  work  accomplished  by  those 
kindred  Societies  with  that  done  by  our  own,  it  has  to  be  admitted 
that  the  Inverness  Gaelic  Society  has  accomplished  far  more  than 
any  other  similar  society  in  existence,  and  I  do  not  wonder  if  the 
members  of  the  Inverness  Society  feel  a  silent  pride  in  being  con- 
nected with  it.  But,  gentlemen,  we  cannot  afford  to  rest  satisfied 
with  our  past  achievements  ;  on  the  contrary,  much  still  remains 
to  be  overtaken,  and  unless  this  task  is  performed  within  a  com- 


Twentieth  Annual  Dinner.  35 

paratively  short  period,  it  shall  become  an  impossibility  at  any 
future  time.  How  so  ?  I  fancy  I  hear  some  person  ask.  Well, 
unless  collected  without  delay,  much  of  the  traditional  lore  and 
poetry  will  perish,  because  the  Code  Education  of  the  youth  of  our 
straths,  glens,  and  fertile  valleys  is  completely  revolutionising  the 
current  of  thought  among  the  rising  generation.  Then,  too,  the 
introduction  and  continuous  extension  of  the  railway  system  has 
done  much  to  alter  the  old  state  of  matters.  What  I  may  term  a 
levelling  process  is  going  on,  and  I  firmly  be  ieve  that  to  those  two 
agencies  alone  is  due  the  great  decrease  which  the  last  census 
shewed  to  have  taken  place  in  the  rural  population  of  the  North 
of  Scotland.  Our  young  men  and  women,  being  educated,  and 
possessing  easy  facilities  of  moving  about,  naturally  migrate  to 
those  centres  which  place  the  greatest  value  upon  their  services. 
In  the  opinion  of  many,  Gaelic  is  destined  to  be  extinguished  by 
the  agencies  at  work  within  a  measurable  period  of  time.  But  it 
is  my  own  opinion  that  it  may  long  survive  the  battering  of  pre- 
sent destructive  agencies,  just  as  it  survived  deliberate  attempts 
to  kill  it  out  in  the  past.  At  anyrate,  it  will  live  as  long  as  High- 
landers choose  to  keep  it  alive,  and  value  as  they  should  the  gift 
of  speaking  more  than  one  language.  Be  it  remembered  that  the 
Crofters'  Act  has  anchored  a  large  number  of  the  Highland  people 
an  the  Highlands  and  Islands,  by  giving  them  security  of  tenure 
on  payment  of  fair  rents,  with  compensation  for  improvements  on 
leaving  their  holdings.  Surely  Gaelic  is  in  no  danger  of  perishing 
soon  in  the  crofting  townships.  Then  it  may  be  held  almost  as  a 
certainty  that  large  farms  are  destined  soon  to  go  out  of 
fashion,  and  that  the  breaking  up  of  such  farms  will  lead 
largely  to  the  formation  of  a  class  of  desirable  moderate 
holdings,  of  which  we  may  hope  industrious  Highlanders 
und  crofters,  pushing  their  way  up  in  the  world,  will  become 
thriving  tenants.  But  although  Gaelic  may  live,  and  High- 
landers may  hold  the  Highlands  more  strongly  than  they  do  at 
present,  there  is  no  time  to  lose  in  gathering  up  the  old  lore,  which 
is  dying  out  with  the  older  generation.  We,  therefore,  ought  to 
•collect  and  preserve  all  that  is  good  and  noble  in  the  legacy  of 
the  past.  This  leads  me  to  say  that  those  who  have  an  aptitude 
for  undertaking  such  work  are  year  by  year  becoming  fewer  and 
fewer.  While  I  speak,  I  am  sure  that  several  names  will  suggest 
themselves  to  you  of  those  who  have  during  the  past  year  passed 
over  to  the  great  majority,  but  thanks  to  the  existence  of  the 
Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness,  though  they  are  dead  their  works 
live,  and  shall  be  greatly  valued  by  Celtic  students  all  over  the 


36  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

world.     It  would  be  nothing  short  of  presumption  on  my  part  to 
refer  in  detail  to  the  respective  merits  of  individuals.     I  prefer 
leaving   that  to  abler  and  more  competent  hands,  but  I  would 
venture  to  say  this  much,  that  their  loss  should  act  as  a  stimulus, 
to  urge  our  members  to  do  some  work  for  the  Society.     As  an 
example  of  industry  I  would  refer,  in  passing,  to  the  action  of  Mr 
Paul  Cameron,   Blair-A thole.      That  gentleman,   when  his  daj-'s 
work  was  over,  made  a  raid  upon  some  cottage  or  bothy  where 
a  good  thing  could  be  got,  and  there  wrote  down  many  excellent 
songs  from  the  lips  of  those  most  qualified  to  give  them  ;  and  so 
he  rescued  from  oblivion  a  valuable  collection  of  poetry,  which 
otherwise  would  have  been  lost  for  ever.     Many  of  these  songs 
are  to  be  reproduced  in  our  next  volume  of  the  Transactions.     I 
hope  some  of  our  other  members  will^mulate  Mr  Cameron  in  this 
respect.     I  am  glad  to  see  near  me  such  earnest  workers  as  Mr 
Campbell,  the  editor  of  the  Northern  Chronicle,  who  has  rendered 
good   service   to   the    cause  of  Celtic  literature.     I  am  told,  on? 
excellent  authority,  that  we  have  with  us  to-night  one  of  the  best 
living  Celtic  scholars.     I  refer  to  Mr  Alexander  Macbain,  M. A.,  the 
popular  and  genial  rector  of  Earnings'  Institution,  Inverness.     His- 
published  works  and  contributions  to  the  press  on  the  subjects  of" 
Celtic  literature,  are  read  and  highly  valued  by  philologists  all 
over  the  world  ;  and  his  able  editorship  of  the  Highland  Monthly,  in 
conjunction  with  Mr  Campbell,  is  so  well  known  that  it  requires  no- 
commendation  from  me.     Then,  there's  my  friend,  Mr  Mackenzie, 
better   known   to   Celtic   scholars   as   the   editor   of   the    Celtic 
Magazine,  now,  unfortunately,  defunct ;  but  I  believe  he  shall  be 
known  in  the  years  that  are  to  come,  as  the  author  of  many 
Highland  clan  histories.     I  think  I  saw  it  somewhere  stated  that 
Mr  Mackenzie  was  the  most  voluminous  writer  of  any  man  nortn 
of  the  Grampians,  and  from  what  I  can  hear,  he  has  not  nearly 
exhausted  himself  yet ;  and  all  that  I  can  say,  and  I  am  sure  I 
re-echo  your  wishes,  when  I  say  more  power  to  him,  and  may  *hi& 
shadow  never  grow  less.     Gentlemen,  I  could  go  on  multiplying 
examples.     For  instance,  there  are  my  friends  Mr  William  Mackay, 
Sir  Henry  Macandrew,  and  others,  but  I  shall  not  trespass  any 
further  upon  your  patience  by  naming  more.     Then,   as  to  the  , 
future,  I  don't  know  that  we  can  do  anything  different,  or  better 
than  has  been  done  in  the  past,  but  the  moral  that  I  wish  to  be 
drawn  from  what  I  have  said  to-night  is  this,  that  if  we  are  to  do 
any  real  sterling  work,  it  must  be  done  without  delay,  because  at 
present  the  labourers  are  becoming  fewer  and  the  field  of  labour 
more  contracted.     I  do  trust,   gentlemen,  that  as  a  result  of  this 


Twentieth  Annual  Dinner  37 

meeting,  we  shall  become  more  determined  than  ever  to  stand  up 
and  defend  to  the  utmost  everything  that  is  distinctively  national. 
I  hope  never  to  see  the  day  when  we  shall  forget  to  think  of  the 
martial  spirit  of  our  Highland  ancestors,  or  to  stand  up  in  defence 
of  the  characteristic  dress,  the  language,  the  music,  and  the 
customs  of  our  ancestors,  in  short,  to  preserve  our  national  spirit. 
England  is  slowly  but  surely  encroaching  upon  some  of  our 
national  rights,  and  I  was  exceedingly  glad  to  see  that  the  effort 
made  in  high  military  quarters  to  change  the  Inverness  county 
regiment  into  a  battalion  of  the  Scots  Guards,  was  successfully 
resisted.  To  deal  in  such  a  way  with  the  Cameron  Highlanders 
would  be  offering  one  of  the  greatest  possible  insults,  not  only  to 
Higlanders,  but  to  Scotchmen,  for  have  not  our  Highland  regi- 
ments distinguished  themselves  011  behalf  of  Great  Britain  in  all 
parts  of  the  world  ?  I  am  tempted  to  quote  to  you  the  high 
character  bestowed  upon  Highland  soldiers  by  that  distinguished 
statesmen,  the  Earl  of  Chatham.  He  said — "  I  sought  for  merit 
wherever  it  was  to  be  found.  It  is  my  boast  that  I  was  the  first 
minister  who  looked  for  it  and  found  it  in  the  mountains  of  the 
north  ?  I  called  forth,  and  drew  into  your  service  an  hardy  and 
intrepid  race  of  men  !  Men  who,  when  left  by  your  jealousy, 
•become  a  prey  to  the  artifices  of  your  enemies,  and  had  gone  nigh 
to  overturn  the  State  in  the  war  before  the  last.  These  men,  in 
the  last  war,  were  brought  to  combat  on  your  side  ;  they  served 
with  fidelity,  as  they  fought  with  valour,  and  conquered  for  you 
in  every  part  of  the  world."  This  great  compliment  is  as  true  to- 
day as  it  was  in  1766.  Gentlemen.  I  call  upon  you  to  drink  with 
all  the  honours  the  toast  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness.  Long 
may  it  flourish  ;  long  may  it  continue  to  do  useful  work  ;  and 
long  may  it  act  as  a  means  for  bringing  together  such  a  happy, 
genial,  and  jolly  company  as  we  have  here  this  evening. 

The  next  toast  was  Celtic  Literature  and  Highland  Education, 
which  stood  opposite  the  name  of  Sir  Henry  Macandrew,  but  this 
gentleman  being  confined  to  the  house,  his  place  was  taken  by  Dr 
F.  M.  Mackenzie,  who  referred  in  brief,  but  eloquent,  terms  to  the 
literature  and  education  of  the  Highlands. 

Mr  J.  L.  Robertson,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  who  responded, 
said,  with  regard  to  Celtic  literature,  great  attention  was  being 
paid  to  it  at  the  present  time,  as  it  was  found  that  it  contained  a 
store  of  valuable  material.  He  quite  concurred  with  what  Dr 
Mackenzie  had  said  about  the  old  schools  in  the  Highlands.  They 
turned  out  wonderfully  good  scholars,  considering  the  dis- 
advantages they  had  to  contend  with.  Of  late  there  had  been  a 


38  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

great  development  of  popular  education,  which  was  a  matter 
of  great  importance  to  the  community.  At  one  time  the  few  went 
to  the  University,  while  the  great  mass  of  the  people  remained 
practically  illiterate.  Lord  Napier's  Commission,  in  their 
report,  stated  that  40  per  cent,  of  the  adult  population 
of  the  Long  Island  signed  their  marriage  certificates  by 
mark.  Now,  however,  he  was  glad  to  say  that  a  wonder- 
ful improvement  had  taken  place  among  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Western  Isles,  and  there  was  now  hardly  any  illiteracy 
worth  speaking  of.  All  the  rejruite  for  the  Militia  and  Royal 
Naval  Reserve  were  able  to  sign  their  names.  For  one  thing,  a 
larger  number  of  newspapers  were  now  circulating  among  the 
Western  population  than  ever  had  been  the  case  before.  Then, 
with  regard  to  higher  education,  he  thdtight  it  would  be  available  in 
the  Highlands  within  a  measurably  short  time.  Of  late  they  had 
the  matter  brought  prominently  before  them,  and  he  might  say  he 
had  just  returned  from  the  West  Coast,  from  a  very  remote  part 
of  it,  and  great  interest  was  manifested  in  the  subject  there.  He 
was  interested  in  the  development  of  technical  education,  as  it 
affected  the  industrial  interests  of  the  community.  The  two 
subjects  which  they  had  specially  set  their  hearts  upon  were 
those  of  agriculture  and  navigation,  and  he  was  glad  that 
the  local  managers  on  the  West  Coast  had  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  the  matter.  Attention  also  was  given  to  the  subjects  of 
hygiene,  public  health,  practical  cookery,  and  other  allied 
subjects,  and  he  was  specially  pleased  that  the  County  Council 
had  promised  substantial  encouragement.  On  the  question  of  the 
education  code,  an  official  such  as  he  was  would  be  expected  to 
be  reticent.  He  might  say,  however,  that  the  difficulties 
of  education  in  the  West  Highlands  had  received  the  closest 
sympathy  of  the  Education  Department.  Of  late,  as  they 
knew,  it  had  been  found  that  the  financial  burden  of  edu- 
cation was  sometimes  more  than  the  locality  was  able  to 
bear.  There  was  a  threatened  collapse  of  the  educational 
machinery  of  the  West  Coast,  and  the  Department  came 
to  the  rescue  with  no  unsparing  hand,  and  the  result  was 
gratifying  and  encouraging.  He  had  also  to  say  that, 
in  a  Society  like  this,  where  prominence  was  given  to  the  Gaelic 
language,  they  would  like  to  know  how  Gaelic  fared  in  the -new 
regulations.  Well,  he  was  glad  to  tell  them  that  it  had  a  distinct 
place,  as  it  was  found  valuable  as  an  agent  in  acquiring  the  Eng- 
lish language.  For  himself  he  did  all  he  could  to 
keep  it  in  a  prominent  place  in  the  educational  system.  They  had 


Twentieth  Annual  Dinner.  39 

all,  however,  to  admit  that  however  much  they  might  feel  it  a 
matter  of  keen  interest  to  themselves  to  preserve  the  Gaelic  langu- 
age, the  acquisition  of  a  facility  in  the  use  of  English  should  not  be 
underestimated  at  present  in  the  social  development  of  the  High- 
land people.  Now  that  the  Crofters'  Act  had  made  crofters  on  the 
West  Coast  real  proprietors,  and  that  really  no  evictions  on  a  large 
scale  could  take  place,  he  thought  they  need  not  grudge  to  educa- 
tion the  effect  it  would  ultimately  have  of  producing  a 
natural  migration,  at  least  among  those  who  became  restless  with 
their  surroundings,  and  such  a  movement  must  in  some  parts 
of  the  Highlands  inevitably  take  place.  It  was  of  the  highest 
importance  that  education  should  receive  cordial  encouragement 
from  any  Government  which  may  be  in  office,  for  the  sake  of  the 
wellbeing  of  the  people  of  the  west,  and  he  thought  he  could 
give  the  assurance  that  was  done  at  present,  so  far  as  the 
regulations  of  the  Education  Department  was  concerned. 

The  Provost  next  proposed  The  Agricultural  and  Commercial 
Interests  of  the  Highlands,  a  toast  which  was  received  with 
applause.  When  one  looked  back  for  the  last  two  centuries,  he 
could  not  but  be  struck  with  the  extraordinary  phases  which  the 
agriculture  of  the  country  had  passed  through.  They  found  that 
1693  to  1700  were  years  of  great  dearth,  as  were  1740-1788,  and, 
yet,  so  conservative  were  the  times,  in  1695  two  vessels  bringing 
grain  from  Ireland  were,  by  order  of  the  Council,  "  staned,"  and 
the  ships  given  over  to  Sir  Duncan  Campbell  of  Auchenbreck, 
who  had  seized  them.  Later  on,  people  knew  better,  and  now 
they  could  always  ward  off  actnal  starvation  by  the  facility  with 
which  foreign  grain  could  be  poured  in.  This  was,  so  far,  satis- 
factory ;  and  it  was  also  satisfactory  to  know  that  if  prices  did  not 
run  so  high  as  of  old,  starvation  and  starvation  prices  were  things 
of  the  past.  No  doubt,  they  did  not  get  all  they  would  like,  but 
he  confessed  he  should  like  to  give  inducements  to  agriculturists  to 
invest  capital  in  land  increased,  and  a  greater  desire  amongst  our 
agricultural  labourers  to  remain  in  the  country.  The  tendency  of 
the  population  to  town  life  was  not,  in  his  opinion,  a  healthy  sign, 
either  morally  or  physically.  No  doubt,  the  life  of  an  agricul- 
turist was  one  of  long  and  hard  labour,  and,  to  a  young  energetic 
man,  did  not  offer  the  chance  of  rising  to  opulence  ;  yet  there  were 
many  compensations  as  against  town  life — especially  when  the 
country  man  failed  in  the  great  struggle.  If  many  of  the  rural 
population  knew  the  risks  of  such  a  failure,  and  the  consequences 
of  sinking  to  the  bottom  of  the  ladder,  he  would  hesitate  ere  he 
left  his  native  gleu  and  fields.  He  hoped  legislation  might  so 


40  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

increase  the  comforts  and  attractions  of  country  life,  that  there 
would  be  an  exodus  from  the  towns,  and  that,  with  the  improve- 
ment of  agricultural  prospects,  commercial  interests  would  improve 
"With  regard  to  commercial  matters,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that 
such  prospects  were  fairly  bright. 

Mr  Jas.  Gossip  responded  for  the  first  part  of  the  toast,  taking 
the  pltice  of  Major  Jackson,  who  was  storm-stayed,  and  ex-Bailie 
Macbean  replied  for  the  commercial  aspect  of  the  toast  in  a  few 
sentences. 

Mr  Wm.  Mackay,  in  proposing  the  next  toast,  "  Kindred 
Societies,"  said  it  might  not  be  out  of  place  for  him  to  look  back 
on  the  period  of  almost  twenty-one  years  which  had  passed  since 
this  society  was  established.  Twenty- one  years  was,  for  a  literary 
society,  a  very  good  old  age,  and  of  *he  kindred  societies  which 
were  in  existence  in  1871,  very  few  now  survived.  In  Inverness 
there  were  then  two  healthy  societies — the  Noetic  and  the  Liter- 
ary Institute — not  to  speak  of  smaller  associations.  Of  them  all, 
not  one  now  existed.  The  Field  Club  was  the  junior  of  this 
society  by  several  years.  It  had  given  two  excellent  volumes  to  the 
public,  and  long  might  it  flourish.  Long  also  might  the  youthful 
Inverness  Parliamentary  and  Literary  Society  live  to  enlighten 
the  public  on  political  questions  which  were  beyond  the  scope  of 
the  Gaelic  Society.  If  they  looked  beyond  the  bounds  of  their 
own  good  tovvn,  perhaps  the  only  survivor  of  the  societies  which 
in  1871  took  an  interest  in  Highland  lore  and  literature  was  the 
Gaelic  Society  of  London,  which  was  as  vigorous  now  as  it  was  in 
the  early  years  of  this  century.  One  result  of  the  impetus  given 
to  the  study  of  Gaelic  literature,  and  the  gathering  of  Highland 
legends  and  folk-lore  principally,  lie  might  say,  by  their  own 
Society,  was  that  similar  societies  sprang  up  in  the  large  towns  of 
the  south,  and  in  America  and  the  Colonies.  Some  of  these  had 
but  a  short  career,  but  others  were  still  in  life  and  doing  good 
work.  They  had  not  been  able,  as  the  Gaelic  Society  had,  to 
publish  sixteen  or  seventeen  volumes  of  transactions ;  but  one  of 
them — the  Gaelic  Society  of  Glasgow — last  year  published  one 
very  interesting  book,  and  all  had  done  well  in  spreading  the 
knowledge  of  Celtic  literature  and  Highland  lore.  As  one  of  the 
most  vigorous  of  these-  he  might  be  allowed  to  mention  the  High- 
land Association  of  Illinois,  which  held  its  meetings  in  Chicago, 
and  which  was  founded  about  eighteen  years  ago  by  a  brother  of 
his  own,  who  was  nowr  no  more. 

Mr  Geo.  J.  Campbell,  solicitor,  with  whose  name  the  toast   was 


Twentieth  Annual  Dinner.  41 

coupled  as  a  representative  of  the  Field  Club,  referred  to  the 
published  transactions  of  that  Society,  remarking  that  the  first 
volume  was  now  worth  <£2,  while  the  second  volume  was  valued 
at  not  less  than  15s. 

Ex-Bailie  Mackenzie  proposed,  in  appropriate  terms,  the  toast 
of  non-resident  members,  which  was  duly  honoured. 

Mr  Alex.  Mackenzie,  Scottish  Highlander,  gave  the  toast  of 
the  Provost,  Magistrates,  and  Town  Council  of  Inverness.  The 
toast  \vas  pledged  with  Highland  honours. 

Provost  Ross  responded,  remarking  on  Mr  Mackenzie's  services 
as  a  good  Town  Councillor. 

Mr  Duncan  Campbell,  editor  of  the  Chronicle,  proposed  the 
toast  of  the  clergy  of  all  denominations,  and  expressed  regret  that 
there  was  not  a  member  of  the  cloth  present  to  respond.  Mr 
Alex.  Macbain  gave  the  press ;  and  the  Provost  proposed  the 
health  of  the  Secretary,  Mr  D.  Mackintosh,  to  whose  labours,  he 
said,  the  great  success  of  the  evening  was  entirely  due.  He 
hoped  Mr  Mackintosh  would  long  continue  to  act  in  the  capacity 
of  Secretary  to  the  Society.  Mr  Mackintosh  returned  thanks  for 
the  enthusiastic  manner  in  which  they  received  the  toast  of  his 
health,  and  said  that  no  doubt  the  working  of  the  Society 
required  a  good  deal  of  close  attention,  but  that  without  the 
-assistance  of  an  active  and  willing  Council  he  would  not  be  able 
to  overtake  the  work.  Mr  Steele,  banker,  proposed  the  health  of 
the  Chairman,  and  Mr  H.  V.  Maccallum  the  Croupiers,  each  of 
whom  responded.  Mr  Alex.  Mackenzie  proposed  the  health  of  Mr 
and  Mrs  Campbell,  their  host  and  hostess.  During  the  evening 
songs  were  contributed  by  Mr  Leslie  Fraser ;  Mr  D.  Miller  ;  Mr 
Hugh  Fraser ;  Mr  Whitehead  ;  and  others.  After  "  Auld  Lang 
Syne "  had  been  sung  by  the  company,  a  number  of  the  more 
•enthusiastic  of  the  party  indulged  in  a  Highland  Reel  to  the 
.stirring  strains  of  the  Society's  piper,  Pipe  Major  Ronald  Mac- 
kenzie. 


18th  JANUARY,  1892. 

This  evening  was  devoted  to  the  nomination  of  office-bearers 
for  1892. 


42  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 


%6th  JANUARY,  1892. 

At  this  meeting  the  office-bearers  for  the  year  were  duly  elected. 
The  following  gentleman  were  elected  members  of  the  Society,. 
viz  : — Honorary  member — Mr  J.  M.  Smith  of  Woodlands,  Inver- 
ness. Ordinary  members — Mr  Hector  Sutherland,  town-clerk, 
Wick  ;  Mr  Alex.  Macpherson,  of  Macpherson  Bros.,  Inglis  Street, 
Inverness ;  and  Mr  A.  Macbean,  of  Messrs  Ferguson  <fe  Macbean, 
jewellers,  Union  Street,  Inverness. 

The  Secretary  intimated  the  following  donations  towards  the 
funds  of  the  Society,  viz.  : — J.  D.  Fletcher  of  Rosehaugh, 
.£25  ;  Sir  Kenneth  S.  Mackenzie,  Bart,  of  Gairloch,  £5  ;  and  was 
instructed  to  convey  to  these  gentlemen  the  sincere  thanks  of  the 
Society  for  their  handsome  contributions. 


3rd  FEBRUARY,  1892. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members  at  this 
meeting,  viz.  : — Mr  Robert  Urquhart,  jun.,  solicitor,  Forres  ;  Mr- 
John  Sutherland,  rector>  Andersonian  Institution,  Forres ;  Mr- 
Hector  Mackinnon,  accountant,  British  Linen  Co.  Bank,  Inver- 
ness ;  and  Mr  David  Clarke,  reporter,  Charles  Street,  Inverness. 

Thereafter,  Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.,  read  a  paper  contributed 
by  Mr  A.  Poison,  Dunbeath,  entitled  "  Some  Highland  Fishermen's 
Fancies."  Mr  Poison's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

SOME  HIGHLAND  FISHERMEN'S  FANCIES. 

Fishermen  of  all  ages  and  of  all  places  are  said  to  have  been 
superstitious,  and,  when  the  nature  of  their  calling  is  considered, 
it  is  no  wonder  that  they  should  be  so. 

In  most  people  there  is  a  superstitious  vein,  and  the  means  by 
which  people  seek  to  pry  into  the  unknown  and  unknowable 
future,  to  ward  oft'  danger  and  misfortune,  and  to  ensure  safety 
and  success,  are  very  varied  and  intensely  interesting  to  those 
who  themselves  neither  use  these  methods  nor  entertain  these 
beliefs.  It  is  no  wonder  that  Highland  tishermen  should  ^ave 
strong  and  peculiar  notions  as  to  how  luck  is  ensured,  when^they 
sometimes  find  that  boats  within  a  stone's  throw  of  them  on  either 
side  have  in  the  morning  large  -hauls  of  fish,  while  they  themselves, 
are  blank  ;  and  that  this  happens  day  after  day,  when  to  [all 
human  appearances  there  is  no  difference  in  the  circumstances. 


Some  Highland  Fishermen's  Fancies.  43 

Though  the  origin  of  most  of  these  superstitions  is  lost,  a  few 
can  still  be  traced.  One  of  their  most  peculiar  fancies  is,  that  it 
is  unlucky  to  meet  a  minister  on  their  way  to  sea  ;  and  if  they  see 
one,  they  take  some  trouble  to  get  out  of  his  way.  They  also 
have  the  strongest  aversion  to  take  ministers  aboard  or  to  give 
them  a  passage  from  one  port  to  the  other.  On  inquiry,  it  has 
been  found  that  some  Caithness  sailors  of  long  ago,  took  a  number 
of  ministers  to  Leith  to  attend  a  General  Assembly,  and  that  the 
passage  was  exceedingly  stormy  But  when  Leith  was  reached, 
and  as  soon  as  the  ministers  were  landed,  the  wind  ceased. 
The  sailors,  from  this  circumstance,  formed  the  belief  that  the 
prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  thought  that  while  they  were  on 
the  waters  he  might,  by  exercising  his  power,  get  these  men,  who 
were  the  enemies  of  his  kingdom,  out  of  the  way.  Similarly,  a 
fisherman  who  gets  a  minister's  blessing  on  going  to  sea  will  have 
the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  as  his  enemy,  and  it  is  therefore 
questionable  if  ever  he  may  come  ashore  again. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  concluded  from  this  that  northern 
fishermen  are  irreligious,  for  they  certainly  are  not,  and  a  great 
number  of  them  "  trust  in  God  and  do  the  right ;"  and  after 
having  shot  their  nets  at  night,  many  crews  have  worship,  and  the 
plaintive  Gaelic  singing  borne  over  the  waves  is  peculiarly 
effective. 

In  common  with  nearly  all  seafaring  men,  Highland  fishermen 
believe  that  whistling  will  be  followed  by  wind.  This,  it  is 
believed,  must  have  arisen  from  the  knowledge  that  like  gives  rise 
to  like  ;  just  as  when  one  imitates  the  cry  of  a  bird  the  mate  will 
respond.  There  is,  however,  no  accounting  for  the  notion  that 
striking  a  knife  in  the  mast  is  quite  as  effective  as  whistling, 
and  can  be  resorted  to  by  the  sailors  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  skipper  when  they  want  to  have  a  few  extra  days  ashore. 
There  is  another  strange  way  of  raising  the  wind,  believed  in 
chiefly  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Western  Islands,  and  which 
Caithness  fishermen  do  not  like,  as  it  affects  their  catch  of  herring. 
It  seems  that  when  the  men  leave  the  Lewis  for  the  Caithness 
fishing  in  July,  some  of  the  women  left  at  home  put  a  number  of 
knots  on  a  woollen  thread.  Towards  the  end  of  the  fishing  or 
earlier,  if  they  are  not  successful,  they  undo  these  knots  one  by 
one,  with  the  result  that  the  wind  begins  to  rise,  and  the  boats 
not  being  able  to  get  to  sea,  the  "  hired  hands"  are  sent  home. 
They  take  great  care  not  to  undo  the  knots  at  too  great  a  rate, 
lest  the  wind  should  arise  too  suddenly,  for  the  loss  of  the  loved 
ones  might  in  this  way  be  brought  about  if  they  happened  to  be 


44  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

at  sea  when  the  last  knot  was  being  undone.  A  shorter  way  for 
these  women  to  make  the  weather  stormy  is  to  draw  the  cat 
through  the  fire  ;  and,  though  how  it  came  to  be  supposed  that 
pussy's  sufferings  have  an  influence  on  the  weather  would  .  bu 
interesting,  it  is  not  ascertainable.  At  home,  the  fishermen's 
wives  must  be  careful  not  to  blow  any  meal  off  oatcake  they  may 
be  baking,  if  they  wish  to  avoid  a  hurricane  which  would  similarly 
blow  their  husbands'  boats  off  the  sea  ;  and  if  they  happen  to  let 
these  cakes  burn  even  with  the  meal  on  them  their  husbands  can 
expect  little  luck.  These  two  strange  beliefs  ought  to  make  the 
wives  attentive  to  their  cooking  and  careful  of  waste  ;  as  ought 
also  the  belief  that  to  throw  any  part  of  a  fish — even  a  bone — 
into  the  fire,  will  cause  fish  to  be  scarce.  To  count  the  boats 
as  they  go  to  sea,  is  also,  in  some  Sutherlandshire  folks'  esti- 
mation, a  wicked  thing,  as  the  consequence  is  likely  to  be  the  loss 
of  one  of  them. 

It  is,  however,  for  the  purpose  of  ensuring  luck  that  the 
grosser  superstitions  are  practised.  Luck  has  always  been 
regarded  by  most  people  as  an  exceedingly  fickle  thing  ;  but  in 
fishing,  because  of  the  inequality  of  results,  and  the  apparently 
blind  hand  by  which  the  harvest  of  the  sea  is  given,  most  fisher- 
men do  rather  strange  things  to  ensure  that  abundance  shall  fall 
to  their  share.  To  this  day  they,  more  than  any  other  class, 
believe  in  witchcraft.  The  ways  by  which  a  woman  can  get  such 
a  character  is  quite  simple.  She  needs  to  be  somewhat  old,  of  a 
masculine  type,  with  hair  enough  on  her  face  to  make  the  bigger 
schoolboys  envious,  and  it  is  preferable  that  she  live  alone.  Let  a 
fisherman  give  such  a  woman  a  "  fry  "  or  a  present  of  herring  from 
his  boat — say  forty  fish — and  let  her,  in  thanking  him,  wish  that 
he  may  come  ashore  with  a  shot  of  as  many  crans  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  and  then  let  it  happen  that  he  comes  ashore  with  a  shot  of 
about  that  number,  the  woman's  character  as  a  witch  is  firmly 
established.  Such  a  character  is  found  to  pay,  and  is,  of  course, 
kept  up. 

A  few  years  ago,  on  the  Caithness  coast,  a  fisherman  gave  au 
old  woman  a  piece  of  rope  for  a  tether.  She  measured  it,  and 
said  "  You  will  have  a  cran  for  every  fathom  of  this,  this  very 
night."  The  prophecy  was  fulfilled,  and  further  tribute  was  sent 
to  Jean.  She  regularly,  thereafter,  came  to  the  quay,  and  every 
fisherman  she  exhorted  to  give  to  her  "  royally ;"  and  this  they 
did,  believing  that  their  future  success  depended  on  their 
liberality.  Asa  consequence,  "Jean  Royal,"  as  she  cam*  to  be 
known,  flourished  as  one  who  was  believed  to  be  able  to  give  or 


Some  Highland  Fishermen's  Fancies.  45. 

withhold  a  good  fishing,  ought  to.  She  was  pompous  and 
authoritative,  and  kept  up  her  character  by  dressing  in  as  "  man- 
nish" a  style  as  possible,  wearing  generally  a  man's  jacket  and  a 
plaid  of  shepherd's  tartan.  When  herring  were  plentiful  she 
received  large  quantities,  which  she  passed  on  to  the  curer,  and  so. 
turned  into  money.  This,  together  with  the  money  she  received 
for  "  consultations,"  kept  her  in  comparative  comtort,  until  she 
was  no  longer  able  to  walk  to  the  quay,  and  nobody  is  now  known 
who  can  openly  take  her  place  ;  and,  let  it  be  added  that  there 
are  few  fishermen  of  the  present  time  who  would  accredit  any  who. 
pretended  to  such  powers.  What  superstition  there  still  remains 
is  not  openly  professed,  and  if  there  be  any  rites  practised  they  are 
done  in  secret  for  fear  of  the  youthful  scoffers,  who  have  been 
educated  at  some  of  our  schools.  It  is  because  they  are  afraid  of 
being  held  up  to  ridicule  by  the  modern  scoffers,  and,  perhaps, 
because  the  efficacy  of  their  methods  may  be  impaired  by  the  tell- 
ing of  them,  that  it  is  almost  useless  to  seek  any  information 
regarding  them  from  fishermen  themselves.  The  only  person  who, 
would  give  the  writer  any  information  was  an  old  fisherman  who. 
had  abandoned  his  former  occupation,  and  was,  therefore,  indepen- 
dent of  their  powers.  He  candidly  stated. his  own  belief  in  witch- 
craft, giving,  as  his  reasons,  certain  dealings  which  he  had  with  a 
reputed  witch.  He  had  been  unsuccessful  for  a  long  time,  and, 
therefore,  went  to  consult  a  lady  who  practised  the  diabolical 
art.  She  frankly  told  him  that  she  had  sold  his  luck  to  an 
acquaintance,  and  that  this  was  done  beyond  recall  for  that 
%  season.  She,  however,  expressed  her  willingness  to  arrange  with 
him  for  next  season  if  he  promised  secrecy,  as  without  that 
nothing  could  be  done.  This  he  promised,  and  she  then  gave  him 
a  sixpence  which  resembled  all  other  sixpences  except  that  it  had 
the  letters  "  G.  L."  printed  on  it.  When  asked  if  these  letters 
stood  for  "  Good  Luck,"  she  said  it  was  not  his  business  to  ask  any 
questions.  He  was  told  that  he  was,  at  the  opening  of  next 
season,  to  get  this  coin  spliced  in  the  rope  which  ties  the  fleet  of 
nets  to  the  boat.  This  he  did,  and  began  to  make  a  splendid  fish- 
ing. Although  he  knew  that  the  first  Monday  of  the  quarter  was. 
a  critical  time,  he  neglected  to  watch  his  boat,  and  when  he  looked 
he  found  that  the  sixpence  was  gone.  He  scarcely  expected  to 
fish  much  after  that;  "and,"  added  he,  "as  sure  as  death  a  fort- 
night passed  before  another  scale  was  seen  in  the  boat." 

Fishermen  tell  a  story  of  a  youth  who  called  on  a  witch  more 
for  the  fun  of  the  thing  than  because  he  believed  in  her  powers. 
After  receiving  some  silver  she  asked  him  how  much  herring  he- 


46  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

would  like.  He  replied.  "  More  than  you  can  give  me."  She 
asked  again,  and  he  replied,  "  as  much  as  you  can  give."  This 
answer  he  repeated.  Next  night  the  young  man  went  to  sea. 
Before  the  following  morning  his  nets  were  so  filled  with  herring 
that  they  sank,  and  he  was  unable  to  recover  a  single  loop  of 
them. 

But  without  resorting  to  witches,  there  are  several  other 
means  by  which  fishermen  and  their  relatives  try  to  induce  fickle 
luck  to  step  their  way.  A  small  silver  coin  fixed  somewhere 
among  the  nets,  or  a  small  piece  of  silver  hidden  in  the  boat  on 
the  first  day  of  the  year  is  very  useful.  It  seems  strange  that 
fishermen  should  regard  it  as  lucky  that  mice  should  nibble  at 
their  nets  when  they  are  stored  away  during  the  winter.  Some, 
indeed,  so  strongly  believe  this  that  they  put  oats  among  them  to 
induce  the  mice,  although  the  result  of  their  nibbling  entails  their 
working  several  weeks  to  repair  the  damage.  It  is  also  considered 
lucky  to  throw  a  broom  or  an  old  shoe  after  a  fisherman  on  his 
way  to  sea  ;  and  in  strange  contradiction  of  a  widely  accepted 
superstition  it  is  very  lucky  to  have  salt  thrown  after  him. 

As  in  other  businesses,  the  first  person  met  by  him  on  his  way 
to  sea  is  a  lucky  or  an  unlucky  person.  If  lucky,  he  deserves, 
and  gets,  something  handsome  out  of  the  catch.  If  unlucky,  the 
fishermen  evidently  entertains  him  a  grudge  thereafter.  It  is 
matter  for  regret  that  among  a  few  it  is  believed  to  be  particularly 
lucky  to  go  to  sea  very  drunk  on  a  certain  day  during  the  fishing 
— the  drunken  crew  believing  that  the  bigger  the  spree  the  bigger 
the  catch. 

But  just  as  there  are  a  great  number  of  things  which  fisher- 
men do  to  secure  them  luck,  there  are  nearly  as  many  things 
which  he  must  be  careful  not  to  do  if  he  would  retain  that  luck. 

He  must  not  start  for  the  first  time  with  a  new  boat  on  a 
Friday.  When  at  sea  he  must  be  careful,  if  he  belongs  to  the 
Banffshire  coast,  not  to  speak  of  salmon.  If  he  does,  he  can 
retain  his  luck  only  by  shouting  *'  cold  iron"  at  once.  Caithness 
fishermen,  who  attribute  no  superstitious  importance  to  this  fish, 
delight  to  tease  Banffshire  men,  by  shouting  to  them  some  such 
expression,  "  There's  a  salmon  in  your  pump." 

It  is  commonly  believed  to  be  all  that  a  boat's  luck  is  worth  to 
give  anything  away  out  of  a  boat  at  sea.  Suppose  a  crew  runs 
short  of  water  they  will  get  a  drink  from  another  crew  quite 
readily,  but  not  a  drop  to  carry  away,  let  water  be  ever  so  plentiful 
with  the  givers.  If  a  fisherman  suspects  that  his  fishing  goes^to 
-gome  one  else,  and  when  none  of  his  devices  bring  him  back  his 


Some  Highland  Fishermen's  Fancies.  47 

luck,  and  when  casting  his  nets  from  either  side  of  his  boat  is  of 
no  avail,  he  is  quite  sure  of  this ;  he  then  takes  a  mouthful  of 
water  from  a  running  stream  under  a  bridge,  "  where  the  living 
and  dead  pass"  (the  latter  on  their  way  to  burial)  and  sprinkles 
it  over  his  nets.  If  this  should  happen  to  bring  back  his  luck  he 
must  be  particularly  careful  not  to  give  it  away  by  lending  any- 
thing out  of  the  boats  or  even  by  giving  a  "  fry"  out  of  his  earlier 
catches.  He  must  also  be  particular  not  to  speak  of  any  four- 
footed  animal,  particularly  a  hare,  while  at  sea.  If  he  does,  he 
must  touch  some  cold  iron,  which  is  by  preference  the  horse  shoe, 
which  is  sometimes  nailed  inside  the  stern  of  the  boat,  and  which 
would  nearly  always  be  there  if  it  were  not  for  youthful  scoffers, 
and  but  for  the  fact  that  a  small  piece  of  mountain  ash  nailed  in 
the  same  place  is  equally  efficacious  in  keeping  off  the  adverse 
witches.  And  who  can  doubt  this  ? 


10th  FEBRUARY, 

The  paper  for  this  evening  was  contributed  by  Mr  Hector 
M'Lean,  Islay.  entitled,  "  The  Iberians."  Mr  Murdo  Macleod, 
37  Chambers  Street,  Edinburgh,  and  Mr  ^Eneas  Mackay,  book- 
seller, Stirling,  were  elected  Members  of  the  Society.  Mr  M'Lean's 
paper  was  as  follows  : — 

THE   IBERIANS. 

It  would  appear  that  in  the  early  neolithic  age  the  Auvergnat 
race  was  pressed  back  in  Southern  Belgium  by  a  more  power- 
ful northern  people,  who,  we  may  conjecture,  were  the 
ancestors  of  the  Belgic  Gauls.  But  while  the  Auvergnat  race  were 
in  retreat  on  their  northern  frontier,  they  were  themselves 
encroaching  on  the  territory  of  the  feeble  Iberian  people  of  the 
south.  The  artificial  sepulchral  grottoes  of  the  Marne,  excavated 
in  the  soft  chalk  of  this  region,  form  the  transition  between  the 
natural  caves  used  for  sepulture  on  the  Lesse,  and  the  later  dol- 
mens of  central  France.  In  these  grottoes  we  find  evidence  that 
the  brachycephalic  people  of  Lesse  lived  in  peaceable  association 
with  the  dolichocephalic  Iberian  race.  They  contain  skulls  with 
cephalic  indices  from  71*65,  which  agrees  with  that  of  the 
Iberians,  up  to  85*71,  which  is  that  of  the  Furfooz  people.  Three 
hundred  miles  further  south  is  the  department  ol  the  Lozere,  no\v 


48  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

inhabited  by  the  brachycephalic  Auvergnat  race.  The  Cavevne 
de  1'Homme  Mort  and  other  early  sepulchral  caves  of  this  district, 
contain  only  dolichocephalic  skulls  of  the  Iberian  type.  But  in 
the  dolmens,  which  are  of  later  date,  M.  Pruniere  has  found 
numerous  skulls  of  a  pronounced  brachycephalic  type,  mingled 
with  a  few  decidedly  dolichocephalic,  and  others  of  a  mixed  type. 
Hence,  we  conclude,  that  the  cavemen  were  invaded  by  the  dolmen 
builders.  That  the  invaders  met  with  resistance  is  proved  by  the 
fact  that  in  some  of  the  cave  interments  arrowheads  of  types, 
believed  to  have  been  used  only  by  the  dolmen  builders,  are  found 
embedded  in  the  bones.  Hence,  De  Quatrefages  concludes  that 
early  in  the  neolithic  age  the  dolichocephalic  autochthones  of  this 
region  were  attacked  by  an  intrusive  brachycephalic  race  in  a 
higher  state  of  civilisation ;  that  the  two  races  ultimately 
amalgamated,  and  that,  finally,  tike  dolichocephalic  race  was 
either  absorbed,  or  retired  to  the  south-west,  where,  in  the  district 
between  the  Lozere  and  the  Aveyron,  there  are  dolmens  containing 
only  dolichocephalic  skulls.  It  is  believed  that  the  Spanish 
Basques  represent  the  earlier  race,  the  Auvergnats  the  invaders, 
and  the  French  Basques  the  mixed  race.  The  chief  importance  of 
these  researches  consists,  as  we  shall  hereafter  see,  in  their  bearing 
on  the  moot  question  of  the  linguistic  affinities  of  the  Basque 
speech.  The  Auvergnats  are  separated  from  the  Savoyards,  who- 
belong  to  the  same  type,  by  the  valley  of  the  Rhone,  which  is 
inhabited  by  a  later  intrusive  race  of  much  higher  stature.  We 
are  informed  by  Zosimus  that  there  were  Celts  in  Rhaetia.  Here, 
consequently,  if  Broca's  theory  as  to  the  Celts  is  correct,  we  ought 
to  find  traces  of  the  Auvergnat  type.  In  the  pre-historic  graves  of 
Eastern  Switzerland,  the  ancient  Rhaetia,  we  find  brachycephalic 
skulls,  which  constitute  what  is  called  the  Disentis  type  by  the 
authors  of  the  Crania  Helvetica  (His  and  Rutimeyer).  The  mean 
cephalic  index  is  86*5,  higher  than  that  of  any  existing  race.  The 
nearest  approach  to  it  is  86,  which  Broca  gives  as  the  mean  index 
of  the  modern  Ligurians,  and  85,  which  is  that  of  the  Lapps.  A 
skull  of  the  Disentis  type  was  found  in  the  neolithic  stratum  of 
the  cone  of  the  Tiniere,  to  which  an  antiquity  of  from  6000  to 
7000  years  has  been  assigned  by  M.  Morlot.  The  Helvetic  and 
Rhaetian  skulls,  though  brachycephalic,  are  very  different.  The 
'first  of  these  agree  with  those  of  the  round  barrow  people  of 
Britain,  the  second  with  those  .of  the  Ligurians,  and  ta 
some  extent  with  those  of  the  Lapps.  The  mean  index 
of  95  skulls  from  British  round  barrows  is  81,  that 
from  the  lake  dwellings  of  seven  skulls  i*  80*3^  The  index 


The  Iberians.  49 

of  the  Disentis  type  varies  from  81 '8  to  97*5,  the  mean  being 
86*5.  The  index  of  the  modern  Lapp  is  84  or  85,  and  it  seems 
formerly  to  have  been  even  higher,  skulls  from  an  ancient  Lapp 
cemetery  giving  an  index  of  90'28.  The  mean  cranial  capacity  of 
the  round  barrow  people  was  98  cubic  inches,  of  the  Helvettii  97, 
of  the  Rhaetians  83.  The  Rhaetians  are  like  the  Lapps  orthog: 
nathous,  while  the  round  barrow  people  were  prognathous.  But 
as  stature,  prognathism,  and  the  colour  of  the  hair  and  eyes  are 
more  variable  characteristics  than  the  shape  of  the  skull  and  of 
the  orbits  of  the  eyes,  it  is  possible  that  the  two  brachycephalic 
types,  the  Celts  of  ethnology  2nd  the  Celts  of  philology,  may  be 
remote  branches  of  the  same  race  which,  with  Dr  Thurnam,  we 
may  call  "  Turanian."  The  short  dark  Ligurian  race  appear  in 
Europe  at  a  much  earlier  period  than  the  tall,  fair,  Cel to-Slavic 
people.  The  Hellenes,  when  they  invaded  Greece,  were  uudoubt* 
edly  more  civilised  than  the  non-Aryan  aborigines,  when  they 
invaded  Greece  ;  and  the  Umbrians  were  more  civilised  than  the 
savage  Ligurians  and  the  cannibal  Iberians  whom  they  found  in 
Italy.  The  round  barrow  Aryans  of  Britain  were  superior  in 
culture  to  the  feebler  longbarrow  race  which  they  subjugated  and 
supplanted. 

The  Iberians,  a  short,  dolichocephalic  race,  represented  in  the 
barrows  of  Britain  and  the  sepulchral  caves  of  France  and  Spain.  The 
stature  averaged  5  feet  4  inches,  and  the  cephalic  index  81  to  74.' 
They  were  orthognathous  and  swarthy.  They  are  now  represented 
by  some  of  the  Welsh  and  Irish,  by  the  Corsicans,  and  by  the 
Spanish  Basques.  Their  affinities  are  African.  The  Ligurians,  a 
short  Alpine  brachycephalic  race,  represented  in  some  Belgian? 
caves,  and  in  the  dolmens  of  Central  France.  They  were  black* 
haired,  mostly  orthognathous,  with  an  index  of  84,  and  with  £ 
stature  of  5  feet  3  inches.  They  are  now  represented  by  the1 
Auvergnats,  the  Savoyards,  and  the  Swiss.  Their  affinities  are 
Lapp  or  Finnic. 

Broca  showed  that  the  Spanish  Basques,  who  are  the  true 
representatives  of  the  Basque  race,  are  dolichocephalic,  and  are 
not  as  Retzius  had  supposed,  from  an  examination  skulls  of 
some  French  Basques,  brachycephalic.  De  Quatrefages  and  Hamy 
then  proved  that  the  supposed  Aryan  invaders  were  in  fact  the 
earliest  inhabitants  of  Europe,  and  actually  possessed  a  lower 
culture  than  the  "  savage  descendants  of  Tur.''  The  order  hi 
which  the  skulls  are  superimposed  at  Grenelle  proves  that  both 
the  dolichocephalic  races  preceded  the  two  brachycephalic  ruees* 
The  most  ancient  skulls  are  those  of  dolichocephalic  savages 'c  of 

4 


50  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  Canstadt  and  kitchen-midden  type,  who  subsisted  mainly  on 
shell -fish,  and  may  be  regarded  as  the  ancestors  of  the  Scandi- 
navian, North  German,  and  Anglo-Saxon  race  Next  in 
order  of  time  we  find  the  Iberian  race  of  savagres,  who 
subsisted  on  the  chase,  and  practised  cannibalism  and  human 
sacrifice,  and  whose  descendants  are  found  in  Corsica,  Spain, 
and  Northern  Africa.  These  Iberians  were  pressed  back  by 
the  brachycephalic  Ligurian  race,  who  arrived  in  the  reindeer 
period,  and  are  possibly  of  Lapp  affinities.  The  brachycephalic 
Ligurian  race  drove  the  dolichocephalic  Iberians  to  the  south  and 
west,  and  the  brachycephalic  "Celtic"  race  drove  the  dolicho- 
cephalic Scandinavious  to  the  north.  The  result  is  that  Central 
Europe  is  brachycephalic,  while  the  north  and  the  south  are 
dolichocephalic.  The  singular  Basque  or  Euskarian  language, 
spoken  on  both  slopes  of  the  Pyrenees*  forms  a  sort  of  linguistic 
island  in  the  great  Ayrian  ocean.  It  must  represent  the  speech 
of  one  of  the  neolithic  races,  either  that  of  the  dolichocephalic 
Iberians,  or  that  of  the  brachycephalic  people  whom  we  call 
Auvergnats  or  Ligurians.  Anthropology  throws  some  light  on 
this  question  ;  it  is  now  known  that  the  Basques  are  not  all  of  one 
type,  as  was  supposed  by  Retzius  and  the  early  anthropologists, 
who  were  only  acquainted  with  the  skulls  of  the  French  Basques. 
Broca  has  now  shewn  that  the  Spanish  Basques  are  largely 
dolichocephalic.  The  mean  index  of  the  people  of  Zarous  in 
Guipuzcoa  is  7  7 '62;  of  the  French  Basques  a  considerable  pro- 
portion (37  per  cent.)  are  brachycephalic,  with  indices  from  80  to 
83.  The  mean  index  obtained  from  the  measurement  of  57  skulls 
of  French  Basques  from  an  old  graveyard  at  St  Jean  de  1'Luz  is 
80-25.  The  skull  shape  of  the  French  is  therefore  intermediate 
between  that  of  the  Auvergnats  on  the  north  and  that  _pf  the 
Spanish  Basques  on  the  south.  It  is  plain  that  the  Basques  can 
no  longer  be  considered  as  an  unmixed  race,  and  we  conclude  that 
the  blood  of  the  dolichocephalic  or  Spanish  Basques  is  mainly  that 
of  the  dolichocephalic  Iberians  or  Spanish  Basques,  with  some 
admixture  of  Lingurian  blood,  while  the  brachycephalic  or  French 
Basques  are  to  a  great  extent  the  descendants  of  the  brachycephalic 
Auvergnats. 

We  have  seen  that  the  south  of  France  was  in  the  early 
neolithic  age  occupied  exclusively  by  the  dolichocephalic  race.  It 
has  been  shown  that  the  sepulchral  caves  and  dolmens  ofjjthe 
Lozere  supply  evidence  that  early  in  the  neolithic  period  their 
territory  was  invaded  by  the  brachycephalic  race,  which  drove 
them  towards  the  Pyrenees,  where  the  two  races  intermingled. 


The  Iberians,  51 

One  race  must  clearly  have  acquired  the  language  of  the  other. 
The  probability  is  that  the  invaders,  who  were  the  more  powerful 
and  more  civilised  people,  imposed  their  language  on  the  conquered 
race,  in  which  case  the  Basque  would  represent  the  language  of 
the  Ligurians  rather  than  that  of  the  Iberians.  All  the  available 
evidence  is  in  favour  of  this  solution.  The  highest  authority,  Van 
Eys,  considers  it  is  impossible  to  explain  the  ancient  Iberian  by 
means  of  Basque.  Vinson  comes  to  the  same  conclusion.  He 
holds  that  the  legends  on  the  Iberian  coins  are  inexplicable  from 
the  Basque  language,  and  he  considers  that  they  point  to  the 
existence  in  Spain  of  a  race  which  spoke  a  wholly  different 
tongue.  This  tongue  probably  belonged  to  the  Hamitic  family. 
We  possess  some  200  ancient  Numidian  inscriptions  which  exhibit 
very  old  forms  of  the  Berber  tongue,  now  spoken  by  the  Towarag 
and  Tamaskek  tribes  and  the  Kabyles.  These  inscriptions  suffice 
to  prove  that  the  Numidian  belonged  to  the  Hamitic  family  of 
speech,  and  that  it  is  distantly  allied  to  the  Nubian  and  old 
Egyptian.  With  this  Berber  or  Hamitic  family  of  speech  the 
Basque  has  no  recognisable  affinity.  Many  philologists  of  repute 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  Basque  must  ultimately  be 
classed  with  the  Finnic  group  of  languages.  Professor  Sayce,  for 
instance,  considers  that  "  Basque  is  probably  to  be  added"  to  the 
Ural-Altaic  family.  He  says — "  With  this  family  I  believe  that 
Basque  must  also  be  grouped.  Prince  Lucien  Bonaparte, 
Charency,  and  others  have  shown  that  this  interesting  language 
closely  agrees  with  Ugric  in  grammar,  structure,  numerals,  and 
pronouns.  Indeed,  the  more  [  examine  the  question  the  nearer 
does  the  relationship  appear  to  be,  more  especially  when  the 
newly-revealed  Accadian  language  of  ancient  Babylonia,  by  far 
the  oldest  specimen  of  the  Turanian  family  that  we  possess,  is 
brought  into  use  for  the  purposes  of  comparison.  In  spite  of  the 
wide  interval  in  time,  space,  and  social  relations,  we  may  still 
detect  several  words  which  are  common  to  Accadian  and  Basque." 
These  philological  conclusions  are  in  accord  with  the  anthropo- 
logical evidence,  the  skulls  of  the  pure  Iberian  race,  such  as 
are  those  which  are  found  in  the  long  barrows  of  Britain  or  the 
Caverne  de  1'  Homme  Mort  are  of  the  same  type  as  those  of  the 
Berbers,  and  the  Guanches,  and  bear  a  considerable  resemblance 
to  the  skulls  of  the  ancient  Egyptians  ;  and  the  Spanish  Basques 
come  next  to  them.  The  men  of  the  Caverne  de  1'  Homme  Mort 
clearly  belong  to  the  same  racial  group.  They  are  decidedly  more 
orthognathous  than  the  Guanches.  All  these  races  agree  in 
cranial  capacity.  The  mean  for  male  skulls  is  for  the  Corsioans 


52  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

1552  cubic  centimetres;  for  the  Gaunches,  1557;  and  for  the 
Spanish  Basques,  1574.  In  the  Caverne  de  1'  Homme  Mort  it 
rises  to  1606. 

To  discuss  in  detail  the  skulls  in  the  neighbouring  sepulchral 
caves  of  this  region  would  be  rather  tedious.  The  most  dis- 
tinguished of  the  French  anthropologists — Broca,  Mortillet,  and 
De  Quatrefages — think  that  the  people  of  the  Caverne  de  F  Homme 
Mort  were  the  survivors  of  an  earlier  ra.ce  which  dwelt  in  the  same 
district  during  the  reindeer  period.  The  remains  of  this  people 
have  been  found  in  caves  at  La  Madeleine,  Laugerie  Haute, 
Aurignac,  Laugerie  Basse,  and  Cro-Magnon.  This  earlier  people 
were  tall,  strongly  built,  and  prognathous*.  Notwithstanding 
these  variations,  the  usual  osteological  characters  are  identical, 
the  cephalic  index  is  the  same,  the  mean  index  at  Cro-Magnon  is 
73-34,  and  in  the  Caverne  de  1'  H(fftm.u  Mort,  73-22.  Bioca, 
besides,  maintains  "that  of  all  the  skulls  with  which  he  is- 
acquainted,  the  nearest  approach  to  the  unique  and  exceptional 
skull  of  the  old  man  interred  in  the  Cro-Magnon  cavern  is  to  be 
found  ir>  two  Gaunche  skulls  in  the  Museum  at  Paris."  The 
forms  of  the  bones  of  the  leg  and  the  arm  display  certain 
characteristic  peculiarities  in  the  Cro-Magnon  skeletons,  which  are 
to  be  observed,  in  an  attenuated  form,  in  several  of  the  skeletons 
in  the  Caverne  de  I1  Homme  Mort,  as  in  some  of  the  Welsh  caves, 
particularly  in  the  Cefn  Cave,  near  St  Asaph,  and  the  Perthi- 
Chwareu  Cave  in  Denbighshire,  where  interments  occur  which 
may  be  ascribed  to  remote  ancestors  of  the  people  of  the  long 
barrows. 

It  would  appear  that  the  Iberian  race  had  extended  over  the 
entire  Spanish  Peninsula  as  well  as  the  coasts  and  islands  of  the 
Mediterranean.  Two  skeletons  were  discovered  in  the  Genista 
Cave  at  Gibraltar  orthognathous  and  with  dolichocephalic  skulls, 
and,  according  to  Busk,  they  bear  resemblance  to  those  found  in 
the  Perthi-Chwareu  Cave  in  Denbighshire,  and  those  of  the  Spanish 
Basques.  One  of  the  Genista  skulls  had  a  cephalic  index  of  74'8, 
an  altitudinal  index  of  71*4,  and  one  of  the  Denbighshire  skulls 
had  a  cephalic  index  of  75,  and  an  altitudinal  index  of  71.  Such 
an  agreement  could  scarcely  be  more  exact.  An  interesting 
survival  of  the  customs  of  those  French  and  Spanish  troglodytes  is 
found  in  the  Canaries.  The  Gaunches  of  Teneriffe  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  remote  branch  of  the  Berber  race,  who  have  preserved 
in  great  purity  the  primitive  type  and  mode  of  life.  The  Canaries 
were  uninhabited  in  the  time  of  Pliny,  The  natives  were  still  in 
the  stone  age,  and  used  caves  both  for  habitation  and  sepulture 


The  Iberians.  53 

when  occupied  by  the  Spaniards  at  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth 
century.  Mummied  bodies  from  the  Teneriffe  caves  are  in  most 
of  the  museums  of  Europe.  The  mean  cephalic  index  of  these 
mummies  is  75*5  ;  in  the  Genista  Cave  at  Gibraltar  it  is  75*5  ;  it 
is  76 '5  in  the  Denbighshire  caves,  and  73*22  in  the  Caverne  de  1' 
Homme  Mort.  74-63  is  the  mean  index  of  the  Berbers ;  75*35 
that  of  the  Corsicans,  76  that  of  the  Spanish  Basques,  and  75*58 
-that  of  the  ancient  Egyptians. 

Corsica,  Sardinia,  Sicily,  and  Southern  Italy  were  inhabited 
by  the  same  race.  Dolichocephalous  skulls  of  the  long  barrow 
type  have  been  found  in  pre-historic  caves  of  Italy  and  Sicily. 
We  are  informed  by  Seneca  that  Corsica  was  peopled  by  Ligurians 
and  Iberians.  Pausanius  tells  us  that  the  Sardinians  were 
Libyans.  We  are  informed  by  Thucydides  that  the  oldest 
inhabitants  of  Sicily  were  Iberians.  A  passage  of  Ephorus,  pre- 
served by  Strabo,  tells  us  the  same.  Modern  craniological 
measurements  confirm  these  statements.  It  is  ascertained  that 
the  dolichocephalous  type  prevails  in  Southern  Italy,  while 
Northern  Italy  is  exceedingly  brachycephaloas.  Dark  com- 
plexion, dark  hair,  and  dark  eyes  likely  characterised  the  Iberian 
race.  Their  supposed  descendants,  the  Welshmen  of  Den- 
bighshire, the  Irish  of  Donegal  and  Kerry  ;  the  Corsicans,  the 
Spanish  Basques,  and  the  Berbers  are  swarthy.  Dr  Beddoe  tells 
us  that  the  "  index  of  nigrescence  increases  from  the  east  of 
Ireland  to  the  west."  The  Kabyles,  on  the  other  hand,  are  of 
lighter  tint,  and  blue  eyes  are  not  rare  among  them,  and  some  of 
the  Guanche  mummies  would  seem  to  have  been  fair-haired. 
The  Tuarik  of  the  Sahara  are  fair-haired  and  blue  eyed.  But,  as 
an  anthropological  characteristic,  the  colour  of  the  hair  and  eyes 
is  of  less  value  than  the  shape  of  the  skull  and  of  the  orbits  of  the 
eyes. 

The  Cro-Magnon  people  were  entirely  hunters  and  fishers ; 
they  were  without  any  domestic  animals  or  cereals.  They  had 
acquaintance  with  fire  ;  and  were  clothed  in  skins,  which  they 
stitched  together  with  bone  needles.  Collars  and  bracelets  of 
shells,  strung  together,  were  worn  by  them.  They  painted  or 
tattooed  themselves  with  metallic  oxides.  They  were  not  with- 
out religious  notions,  for  they  believed  in  a  future  life  ;  the  care 
bestowed  by  them  on  the  interments,  and  the  objects  which  they 
deposited  with  the  deceased,  prove  that  they  thought  the  spirits 
of  the  dead  had  wants  beyond  the  tomb,  and  that  they  were  able 
to  make  use  of  ornaments  and  weapons.  From  parts  of  Europe 
distantly  situated,  where  the  remains  of  the  Iberian  race  are 


54  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

found,  there  is  evidence  that  they  were,  at  times,  addicted  to 
cannibalism.  Human  bones,  which  have  been  broken  in  order  to 
extract  the  marrow,  supply  such  evidence.  From  a  cave  in  the 
Island  of  Palmaria,  in  the  Gulf  of  Spezzia,  from  Keiss,  in  Caithness, 
and  from  the  Cesareda  Caves,  in  the  valley  of  the  Tagus,  the 
best  authenticated  cases  come.  The  eminent  French  anthropolo- 
gists, Broca  and  De  Quatrefages,  contend  that  the  Cro- 
Magnon  people  exhibit  a  remote  ancestral  type  of  the  Iberian  race* 
Were  this  the  case,  the  question  of  the  ultimate  origin  of  the 
Iberians  would  be  greatly  simplified.  Broca  supposes  that  their 
likeness  to  the  Berbers  shows  that  they  have  emigrated  into 
Europe  from  Africa,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  resemblance  of  the 
Guanche  and  Berber  skulls  to  those  of  the  ancient  Egyptians  allies 
them  to  the  great  Hamitic  stock,  and  the  Cro-Magnon  skeletons 
constitute  a  link  between  the  Berbers  and  the  Negroes. 

The  Ligurians,  a  short  brachycephalic  Alpine  people,  repre- 
sented in  some  Belgian  caves  and  in  the  dolmens  of  Central 
France.  They  were  black  haired,  mostly  orthognathous,  with  a 
cephalic  index  of  84,  and  a  stature  of  five  feet  three  inches.  They 
are  now  represented  by  the  Auvergnats,  the  Savoyards,  and 
the  Swiss.  Their  affinities  are  Lapp  or  Finnic. 

In  the  neolithic  agp,  the  Iberian  race  of  savages  subsisted  on 
the  chase,  practised  cannibalism  and  human  sacrifice.  Their 
descendants  are  found  in  Corsica,  Spain,  and  Northern  Africa. 
These  Iberians  were  pressed  back  by  the  brachycephalous 
Ligurian  race,  who  arrived  in  the  period  of  the  reindeer 
and  are  possibly  of  Lapp  affinities.  The  brachycephalous 
Ligurian  race  drove  the  dolichocephalous  Iberians  to  the  south 
and  west,  and  the  brachycephalous  "  Celtic"  race  drove  the 
dolichocephalous  Scandinavians  to  the  north.  The  consequence  is 
that  Central  Europe  is  brachycephalous,  while  the  north  and  the 
south  are  dolichocephalous.  A  sort  of  linguistic  island  is  formed 
in  the  great  Aryan  ocean  by  the  singular  Basque  or  Euskarian 
language  on  both  slopes  of  the  Pyrenees.  Necessarily,  it  repre- 
sents the  speech  of  one  of  the  neolithic  races,  either  that  of  the 
dolichocephalous  Iberians  or  that  of  the  brachycephalous  people, 
whom  we  designate  Auvergnats  or  Ligurians. 

There  is  some  light  thrown  on  this  question  by  anthropology. 
It  is  well  known  now  that  the  Basques  are  not  all  of  one  type,  a& 
was  supposed  by  the  early  anthropologists,  whose  acquaintance 
was  confined  to  the  skulls  of  French  Basques.  Broca  has  shown 
that  the  Spanish  Basques  are  very  dolichocephalous.  The  mean 
index  of  the  people  of  Zarous,  in  Guipuzcoa,  is  77 '62.  A  consider- 


The  Iberians.  55 

able  proportion  of  the  French  Basques  (37  per  cent.)  are  brachy- 
cephalous, with  cephalic  indices  from  80  to  83.  From  the 
measurements  of  fifty-seven  skulls  of  French  Basques,  from  an  old 
graveyard  at  St  Jean  de  1'Leuz,  the  mean  cephalic  index  is  80.25. 
Therefore  the  skull  shape  of  the  French  Basques  is  intermediate 
between  that  of  the  Auvergnats  on  the  north,  an  1  that  of  the 
Spanish  Basques  on  the  south. 

It  is  sufficently  clear,  then,  that  the  Basques  can  no  longer  be 
looked  upon  as  an  unmixed  race,  and  it  may  be  inferred  that  the 
blood  of  the  dolichocephalous  or  Spanish  Basques  is  chiefly  that 
of  the  dolichocephalous  Iberians,  with  some  admixture  of  Ligurian 
blood;  at  the  same  time,  that  French  Basques  are  1o  a  large 
extent  the  descendants  of  the  brachycephalous  Auvergnats. 

It  has  been  observed  that  the  South  of  France  was  occupied 
exclusively  in  the  early  neolithic  age  by  the  Iberian  or  dolicho- 
cephalous race.  The  sepulchral  caves  and  dolmens  of  the  Lozere 
have  supplied  evidence  that  early  in  the  neolithic  period  their 
territory  was  invaded  by  the  brachycephalous  race,  which  drove 
them  towards  the  Pyrenees,  where  the  two  races  intermixed.  It 
is  clear  that  one  race  must  have  acquired  the  language  of  the 
other.  It  is  probable  that  the  invaders,  who  were  the  more 
powerful  and  more  civilised  people,  imposed  their  language  on  the 
conquered  race.  In  this  case,  the  Basque  would  represent  the 
language  of  the  Ligurians  rather  than  that  of  the  Iberians.  This 
solution  has  all  the  available  evidence  in  its  favour.  The  highest 
authority  on  this  subject,  Van  Eys,  thinks  it  impossible  to  explain 
the  ancient  Iberian  by  means  of  Basque.  Vinson  comes  to  the 
same  conclusion.  He  infers  that  the  legends  on  the  Iberian  coins 
are  inexplicable  from  the  Basque  language  ;  and  he  is  of  opinion 
that  they  point  to  the  existence  in  Spain  of  a  people  who  spoke  an 
entirely  different  tongue.  It  is  likely  that  this  language  belonged 
to  the  Hamitic  family.  Many  eminent  philologists  have  concluded 
that  Basque  must  be  classed  with  the  Finnic  group  of  languages. 
Professor  Sayce  thinks  that  "  Basque  is  probably  to  be  added"  to 
the  Ural-Altaic  family.  Professor  Sayce  again  remarks — "  In 
spite  of  the  wide  interval  of  time,  space,  and  social  relations,  we 
may  still  detect  several  words  which  are  common  to  Accadian  and 
Basque." 

The  Lapps  are  the  shortest  race  in  Europe ;  their  average 
stature  is  5  feet  2  inches.  The  Auvergnats  are  not  only  the 
shortest  race  in  France,  but  the  shortest  race  who  now  speak  any 
Aryan  language.  French  conscripts  who  measure  less  than  5  feet 
1^  inches  are  exempted  from  serving.  In  the  Department  of  the 


56  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Puy  de  Dome  and  the  two  adjacent  Departments,  the  Haute 
Vienne  and  the  Correre,  which  are  the  home  of  the  Auvergnat 
race,  the  exemptions  are  from  15  to  19  per  cent.  In  the  Auver- 
gnat Departments,  the  number  of  conscripts  above  5  feet  8  inches 
is  only  3  per  cent. 

It  has  been  essayed  to  connect  the  Ligurians  with  the  Fiuns 
rather  than  with  the  Lapps.  The  difficulty  arises  from  the  fact 
that  the  Finns  are  not  of  homogeneous  race.  The  cephalic  indices, 
the  stature,  the  colour  of  the  hair  and  eyes  differ.  Some  of  them 
are  like  the  Slavs,  others  approach  the  Swedes,  and  some  of  them 
partake  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Lapps,  whose  tongue  is  an 
archaic  form  of  Finnic  speech.  The  Lapps  are,  nevertheless, 
orthognathous,  and  the  Finns  principally  slightly  prognathous. 
Broca  gives  80  39  as  the  mean  cephalic  index  of  the  Esthoman 
Finns,  and  83'69  as  that  of  the  Finnsfrf  Finland.  The  Finns  of 
Finland  have  a  mean  stature  of  5  feet  3  inches. 

There  is  not  so  much  difficulty  in  ascertaining  the  neolithic 
ancestors  of  the  Lugurians.  The  dolmens  and  caves  of  Western 
Europe  are  to  be  searched  for  a  combining  short  stature  with  a 
high  cephalic  index. 

At  Grenelle,  near  Paris,  have  been  discovered  the  earliest 
remains  of  any  people  which  correspond  to  this  description.  In 
the  alluvium  and  the  underlying  gravels  here,  deposited  in  a  bend 
of  the  ancient  bed  of  the  Seine,  skulls  of  three  successive  races 
have  been  found.  The  lowest,  and  therefore  the  oldest,  beds  of 
gravel  contain  dolichocephalous  and  platycephous  skulls  of  the 
Canstadt  or  Scandinavian  type,  bearing  a  likeness  to  the  Staen- 
genaes  skull.  At  a  depth  of  from  3  to  12  feet  from  the  surface, 
in  the  alluvium  which  overlies  the  gravel,  are  dolichocephalous 
skulls  of  the  Cro-Magnon  or  Iberian  type.  At  a  depth  of  from 
4  to  7  feet  above  these  are  the  remains  of  a  short  brachycephalons 
race,  entirely  different  from  the  other  two;  these  are  of  menu 
stature  of  5  feet  3J  inches,  and  have  a  mean  cephalic  index  of 
83 '6,  measurements  which  agree  very  nearly  with  those  of  the 
Auvergnats. 

Further  to  the  north  certain  limestone  caves  near  Furfooz,  in 
the  valley  of  the  Lesse,  a  little  stream  which  joins  the  Meux  near 
Dinant  in  Belgium,  have  yielded  remains  of  one  or  possibly  of  two 
short  brachycephalous  races.  A  cave  named  the  Trou-Rosette 
was  inhabited  by  a  race  with  the  high  cephalic  index  of  86'1.  lu 
a  cave  in  the  vicinity,  designated  the  Trou  de  Frontal,  skulls  were 
found  with  indices  varying  between  70'8  to  81'4.  The  mean 
index  is  80'35.  The  mean  index  of  five  Esthonian  skulls  at  Paris 


7 he  Iberians.  57 

•was  80-35.  Both  the  Furfooz  races  had  short  stature.  5  feet 
4  inches  was  the  height  of  the  tallest  skeleton,  and  4  feet  1 ! 
inches  of  the  shortest.  5  feet  2  inches  was  the  mean  stature  of 
one  race,  that  of  the  other  was  slightly  over  5  feet.  There  is  a 
likeness  between  the  Trou-Rosette  skulls  and  those  of  the  Lapps  ; 
•the  Trou  de  Frontal  type  is  more  prognathous  and  nearer  to  the 
Finns,  and  may  still  be  recognised  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
valley  of  the  Lesse,  and  among  the  peasants  who  frequent  the 
markets  of  Antwerp. 

The  Furfooz  races  have  left  many  traces  of  their  industries 
in  the  caves  which  they  inhabited,  nnd  wherein  they  also  buried 
their  dead.  They  appear  to  have  been  a  peaceful  people,  and 
possessed  no  bows  or  arrows  or  weapons  for  combat,  but  only 
j:velins  tipped  with  flint  or  reindeer  horn,  wherewith  they  killed 
wild  horses,  reindeer,  wild  oxen,  boars,  goats,  chamois,  and  ibex, 
as  well  as  squirrels,  lemmings,  and  birds,  particularly  the 
ptarmigan.  Some  of  these  animals  prove  that  the  climate  was 
sub-arctic.  They  were  clad  in  skins  sewn  together  with  bone 
needles.  They  tattooed  or  painted  themselves  with  red  oxide  of 
iron,  and  as  ornaments  wore  shells,  plaques  of  ivory  and  jet.  and 
bits  of  fluor  spar.  But  that  which  is  most  remarkable,  is  that  the 
weapons  were  brought  from  distant  regions  far  to  the  south  and 
south-west,  which  are  now  inhabited  by  a  short  brachycephalous 
race  like  themselves,  while  they  appear  to  have  been  unable  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  natural  resources  of  the  neighbouring  dis- 
tricts to  the  north  and  to  the  north-east,  where  the  ethnic  type  is 
different.  The  flints  for  their  implements  were  not  got  from  the 
chalk  formation  of  Hainault,  a  few  miles  to  the  north,  but  from 
Touraine,  more  than  250  miles  distant  in  a  direct  line.  The  jet 
was  brought  from  Lorraine,  and  the  shells  from  Grignon.  Clearly, 
these  people  of  the  valley  of  the  Lesse,  about  fifteen  miles  from 
Namur,  could  range  upwards  of  300  miles  to  the  south-west,  but 
not  more  than  twenty-five  miles  to  the  north,  or  they  would  have 
obtained  their  shells  from  Liege  in  place  of  from  the  Loire,  and 
their  flints  from  Hainault  instead  of  from  Champagne.  An  ancient 
•ethnic  frontier  is  recognised,  therefore,  here.  The  peopl  e  of  the 
Lesse  could  not  pass  the  line  of  the  Sambre  and  the  Meuse,  as  a 
hostile  and  more  powerful  race  held  the  hills  of  Hainault. 

It  is  also  shewn  by  the  fact  that,  not  far  from  Moms,  forty  miles 
north-west  of  the  Lesse,  flint  instruments  have  been  discovered 
deposited,  differing  in  type,  as  in  material,  from  those  found  in 
the  valley  of  the  Lesse.  There  is  an  agreement  of  the  latter  with 
those  of  the  Dordogne,  in  Central  France,  while  the  implements 


58  Gaelic  Society  of  /nuerness. 

from  Mons  resemble  those  found  in  the  valley  of  the  Somme  and 
other  parts  of  Belgic  Gaul.  These  distinctions  disappear  at 
a  later  time ;  the  weapons  are  wrought  from  Hainault 
flint,  and  the  types  are  the  same  as  in  the  district  of 
Hainault.  This  Iberian  or  Silurian  race,  the  Basques  in 
France  and  Spain,  would  appear  to  have  come  originally  from 
Africa  in^o  Europe,  and  to  have  primarily  peopled  Spain,  France,, 
and  the  British  Isles  till  they  were  conquered  by  other  races,  and 
in  the  British  Isles  by  the  Celts,  who  conquered  and  enslaved 
them,  but  intermixed  with  them  in  Wales,  Ireland,  and  Scotland. 
Iii  anthropology  the  extent  of  the  intermixture  has  not  been  so 
thoroughly  investigated  yet,  but  we  may  infer  that  swarthy  dark- 
haired  and  black-eyed  Irishmen  and  Highlanders  of  diminutive 
stature  have  in  their  composition  a  large  element  of  the  Iberian  or 
Silurian  race.  Many  of  these  are  very  nright-minded.  In  Joannes 
Scotus  Erigena  we  have  an  instance  of  such  a  man.  It  is  said 
that  John  was  a  great  favourite  of  Charles  the  Bald,  King  of 
France.  Being  a  little  man,  he  was  sitting  at  dinner  between  two 
big  portly  bishops.  The  king  asked  him  to  divide  the  fish  between 
the  bishops  and  himself,  there  being  two  big  fishes  and  a  small 
one.  He  cut  the  small  fish  into  two  halves,  and  gave  one  half  to 
each  bishop.  He  then  put  the  two  big  fishes  on  his  own  plate. 
"  Have  you  divided  fairly  ?"  said  the  king.  "  Yes,"  he  said  ;  "  here 
are  two  big  ones  and  a  little  one,"  pointing  to  the  bishops,  and 
then  pointing  to  his  own  plate,  he  remarked,  "  here  are  two  big 
ones  and  a  little  one."  At  p.  218  of  Professor  Stokes'  "Ireland 
and  the  Celtic  Church,"  he  observes — "  Every  student  of  history 
knows  that  Joannes  Scotus  Erigena  was  summoned  to  France  by 
Charles  the  Bald,  where  he  alone  was  found  capable  of  translating 
the  Greek  works  of  the  Pseudo-Dionysius.  John  the  Irishman  was 
a  truly  erratic  genius.  He  was  brilliant,  learned,  heretical.  He 
embodied  in  himself  most  of  the  virtues  and  vices  of  the  Irish 
character,  and  to  this  alumnus  of  the  monastery  of  Bangor  can  be 
directly  traced  the  genesis  of  that  antheistic  philosophy  which 
many  moderns  ascribe  wholly  to  Spinoza.  Through  Joannes 
Scotus  the  Irish  schools  exercise,  indeed,  a  direct  influence  over 
the  philosophic  thought  of  modern  Europe."  In  a  note  at  the 
bottom  of  the  same  page,  Dr  Stokes  informs  us — "He  wrote 
several  brilliant  works,  one  touching  the  question  of  predestination, 
where  he  opposed  what  we  should  call  in  modern  language  high 
Calvinism,  and  verges  towards  Pelagianism,  which  always  seems 
to  have  had  an  attraction  for  the  Celtic  genius  ;  another  on  the 
Eucharist,  where  he  taught  views  opposed  to  transubstantiation." 


fhe  Iberians.  5$ 

Here  is  a  description  of  a  man  whom  I  consider  to  have  been 
of  the  Gaelic-Iberian  race.  I  have  given  a  long  description  of  the 
physical  characteristics  of  a  race  extending  from  Northern  Africa 
through  Spain,  France,  and  the  British  Isles  to  Caithness  in  the 
North  of  Scotland,  and  here  end  with  a  biographical  sketch  of  one 
whom  I  consider  to  have  been  of  the  Celto-Iberian  race. 


17th  FEBRUARY,  1892. 

The  paper  for  this  evening  was  contributed  by  the  Rev.  John 
MacRury,  Snizort.  Mr  MacRury's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

STRAY   NOTES    ON   GAELIC. 

A   WORD    OF    WARNING. 

In  writing  this  paper  I  have  no  desire  whatever  to  lead  any  one 
astray.  But  it  is  quite  possible,  even  probable,  that  many  of  those 
into  whose  hands  these  notes  may  come  will  think  that  I  am  very 
far  astray  myself.  It  is  well  known  that  a  man  may  be  very  far 
astray  without  knowing  it  himself.  I  may  be  astray  in  many  of 
the  views  which  I  take  of  the  various  points  on  which  I  touch  in 
these  notes,  but  I  am  not  in  the  least  conscious  of  being  so.  Some 
of  these  notes  may  be  wise,  and  some  may  be  otherwise,  like  many 
of  the  other  subjects  whicn  are  taken  up  to  interest  and  amuse 
our  countrymen  at  this  time  of  the  year. 

Nor  do  I  in  the  least  desire  to  stir  up  the  spirit  of  controversy 
and  strife  in  any  of  our  "irascible  Celts"  by  what  I  write.  Too 
much  time  and  energy  have  been  uselessly  spent  already  by  many 
a  well-meaning  and  true-hearted  Highlander  in  discussing  many 
minor  points,  while  the  great  and  important  duty  of  fostering  the 
Gaelic  has  been  sadly  neglected.  The  ridiculous  work  of  straining 
out  gnats  and  swallowing  camels  has  been  going  on  among  well- 
meaning  and  earnest  students  of  Gaelic  grammar  for  many  a  day. 
Let  no  one  conclude  from  this  remark  that  I  look  upon  earnest 
and  thorough  grammatical  study  of  the  Gaelic  as  a  matter  of 
minor  importance.  Far  from  it.  Such  a  profitable  and  interesting 
study  should  be  prosecuted  with  greater  diligence  and  persever- 
ance than  is  usually  the  case.  These  notes  are  the  result  of  a 
little  study  which  I  made  on  stray  passages  during  spare  half- 
hours.  Crude  as  the  notes  may  be,  they  may  help  to  stir  up 


30  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

others — not  to  take  part  in  any  useless  controversy,  I  hope,  but — 
to  look  further  into  the  depth  of  knowledge  which  is  treasured  up 
in  our  ancient,  but  hitherto  much  neglected,  language.  Such  of 
the  notes  as  may  be  wise,  if  they  happen  to  contain  anything  new, 
will  give  some  direct  help  to  as  many  as  are  anxious  to  learn  ;  and 
such  of  the  notes  as  may  be  otherwise  will  also  help  every  wise  and 
thoughtful  student — indirectly,  of  course — by  pointing  out  to  him 
the  numerous  rock«  and  shallows  on  which  he  may  easily  wreck 
his  reputation  as  a  sound,  sensible,  and  learned  Celtic  scholar. 
Now,  to  the  "  Notes." 


I.  —  ON    EMPHASIS,    AND    THE    USE    OF    HYPHEN. 

In  many  ancient  languages  the  emphatic  words  are  known  by 
the  position  which  they  take  up  in  the  sentence.  In  Gaelic  the 
case  is  different.  Emphasis  is  generally,  though  not  always,  pro- 
duced either  by  lengthening  the  words,  or  by  pronouncing  them 
so  articulately  as  to  show  them  at  their  full  length.  This  enables 
one  easily  to  know  which  are  the  emphatic  words  and  which  are 
not,  and  is  consequently  a  great  advantage  to  those  who  are  learn- 
ing the  Gaelic.  The  Personal,  Possessive,  Compound,  and  Pre- 
positional Pronouns,  and  also  some  parts  of  the  Verb,  are 
invariably  lengthened  by  the  addition  of  an  emphatic  particle, 
which  generally  used  to  be  joined  to  its  word  by  a  hyphen. 
^_  In  the  emphatic  Personal  Pronouns,  the  hyphen  has  not  been 
much  used  for  the  last  80  years  or  more.  It  is  to  be  met  with, 
so  far  as  I  know,  only  in  "  e  sail,"  and  the  reason  why  it  is  used  in 
this  instance  is  to  be  found  in  the  undue  regard  paid  to  the  Irish 
rule,  "  Caol  ri  caol  agus  leathann  ri  leathann."  Now,  this  rule, 
though  in  many  respects  excellent  as  a  guide  to  the  spelling  of 
words  in  which  the  consonants  are  modified  in  sound  by  broad  or 
small  vowels,  should  not  be  universally  applied.  In  most  of  the 
editions  of  the  Gaelic  Scriptures  published  since  the  beginning  of 
this  century,  "esan"  only  is  to  be  found.  It  has  therefore  become 
the  established  usage  never  to  use  the  hyphen  in  connecting  the 
emphatic  particles  to  the  Personal  Pronouns. 

The  very  opposite  must  be  the  case  in  connecting  the  emphatic 
particle  to  the  Possessive  Pronouns,  because  the  emphatic  particle 
can't  come  in  immediately  after  the  Pronoun.  It  can  only  corne 
in  at  the  end  of  the  last  word,  e.g.,  "  Mho  mhac-sa,"  "  mo  ch6ta 
m6r,  ur-sa,"  "  mo  chii  m6r,  luath,  laidir,  breagha,  breacgeal-sa." 
Evidently  it  is  not  possible,  consistent  with  clearness,  to  omit  the 

ien  in  the  above  or  in  similar  instances. 


Stray  Notes  on  Gaelic.  61 

In  the  Compound  Pronouns  there  is  no  occasion  to  use  the 
hyphen,  as  these  Pronouns  are  made  up  of  the  Personal  and  the 
Demonstrative  Pronouns.  I  would,  however,  use  the  hyphen  in 
the  following  phrase,  "  dh'  fholaich  i  i-fhein  re  ch6ig  miosan."  It 
might  also  be  used  in  the  phrases  "  mharbh  e  e-fhein,"  "  ghearr 
e  e-fhein,"  "  nigh  iad  iad-fhein,"  &c.,  in  preference  to  "  si  i  fein," 
"  se  e  fein,"  &c. 

In  the  case  of  the  Prepositional  Pronouns,  and  by  Prepositional 
Pronouns  I  mean  those  words  that  are  made  up  of  the  Proper 
Prepositions  and  the  Personal  Pronouns,  I  would  not  use  the 
hyphen  at  all  in  connecting  the  emphatic  particle.  The  too 
frequent  use  of  the  hyphen  is  rather  puzzling  to  learners,  and 
troublesome  to  writers  and  printers,  and  therefore  it  should  never 
be  used  except  when  clearness  requires  its  presence.  But  when 
the  emphatic  particles,  sa,  se,  san,  ne,  are  joined  to  the  Pre- 
positional Pronouns  without  a  hyphen,  it  is  necessary  to  omit  some 
letters,  either  from  the  pronouns,  or  from  the  particles,  e.g.,  it 
would  not  do  to  write,  "leissan,"  "rissan,"  as  it  is  not  admissible 
in  Gaelic  to  double  any  letter  except  the  letters  "  1,"  "  n,"  "  r." 
This  was  the  great  difficulty  which  met  the  learned  translators  of 
the  Scriptures  when  they  wrote  "leis-san"'  and  "rissan."  They 
felt  bound  to. use  the  hyphen  in  these  cases  in  order  to  avoid  such 
a  great  change  in  the  language  as  doubling  the  letter  "  s."  But 
though  ifc  is  the  rule  to  double  the  "  n"  in  Gaelic  when  occasion 
requires  it,  it  is  not  admissible  to  treble  the  letter  "  n,"  or  any 
other  letter.  How  did  they  get  over  this  difficulty?  Not  by 
using  the  hyphen  in  connecting  the  emphatic  particle  "  ne"  to  the 
Prepositional  Pronoun,  but  by  leaving  out  one  of  the  three  "  n's." 
as  "  agairme,"  "  annainne,"  "  oirnne,"  "  uainne,"  &c.  These  are 
much  simpler  and  better  forms  of  the  words  than  what  could  be 
given  by  using  the  hyphen,  as  "  againn-ne,"  "annainn-ne,"  &c. 
Why  not  then  leave  out  one  of  two  "  sV  in  '*  leis-san,"  "  ris-san," 
and  simply  write  "  leisan, "  "risan?"  In  "  roimhesan, " 
"  dhaibhsan,"  "aigesan,"  "  airsan,"  "  uigesan,"  <fec.,  the  Irish 
rule  is  transgressed,  and  the  words  look  somewrhat  strange  at  first 
sight ;  but  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  omission  of  the  hyphen 
is  a  great  advantage  to  the  learner,  and  to  the  writer  and  printer. 

In  some  instances  the  verb  is  made  emphatic  by  being 
lengthened,  e.g.,  the  1st  and  2nd  sing,  and  1st  and  2nd  plur.  of 
the  Imperative,  as  "  Buaileamsa,"  "  Buailsa,"  "  Buaileamaidne," 
"  Builibhse,"  "  Rachaibhse,"  "  Abraibhse,"  <fec.  The  hyphen  need 
not  be  used  in  these  instances. 

Emphasis  is  also  added  by  repeating  the  same  word,  as 
"  Fosgail  an  dorus  sin  a  sin  "  (open  that  door  there).  "  Thoir 


62  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

dhomh  am  maide  sin  a  sin  "  (give  me  that  stick  there).  "  Dh' 
inns  an  duine  sin  a  sin  dhomh  e  "  (that  man  there  told  it  to  me). 
"  Am  fear  leis  am  bu  leis  thu  "  (the  man  to  whom  you  belonged). 
"  Am  fear  leis  an  leis  an  taigh  so  "  (the  man  to  whom  this  house 
belongs). 

The  preposition  "an  "  (in)  is  often  lengthened  into  "  ann  an," 
for  the  sake  of  emphasis.  It  is  astonishing  to  me  to  find  that  not 
one  of  our  grammarians,  while  trying  to  account  for  this  form  of 
the  preposition,  seemed  to  see  that  "  ann  an  "  is  the  emphatic 
form,  and  that  "  an,'"  or,  "  am"  before  a  labial,  is  the  ordinary 
form.  Dr  Stewart,  in  his  grammar,  which  is  the  best  Gaelic  gram- 
mar we  have,  speaks  of  "  ann  an "  as  a  lengthening,  or  a 
reduplication  of  "  an,"  and  seems  never  to  have  noticed  that 
u  ann  an  "  is  the  emphatic  form,  and  can  only,  with  propriety,  be 
used  as  such.  Even  the  late  Dr  Cameron  of  Brodick,  who  had  no 
equal  as  a  Gaelic  Grammarian,  seems  to  have  overlooked  this 
important  point.  In  his  admirable  article  in  the  Scottish  Critic 
Review  on  "  Common  Mistakes"  (p.p.  273-296)),  he  makes  it  quite 
clear  that  "an,"  in,  "ami  an  comhairle  nan  aingidh "  (in  the 
counsel  of  the  wicked)  is  not  the  article,  as  many  Gaelic  scholars 
maintained,  but  the  regular  modern  form  of  the  ancient  pre- 
position "  in"  He  even  goes  the  length  of  saying  that  "  an"  is  the 
more  accurate  form,  as  it  may  always  be  substituted  for  "  ann  an," 
whereas  "  ann  an  "  can  only  be  occasionally  substituted  for  "  an." 
He  is  quite  correct  in  all  that  he  says  ;  for  he  was  not  writing  on 
the  proper  way  of  emphasising  the  language,  but  on  the  proper 
way  of  writing  it.  Still,  it  seems  strange,  that  he  should  be 
inclined  to  favour  the  idea  of  doing  away  with  "  ann  an  "  and  using 
only  "  an,"  for  this  is  what  can  be  easily  inferred  from  his  conclud- 
ing remarks  on  the  preposition  "  an."  In  recent  editions  of  the 
Gaelic  Scriptures,  the  first  word  in  Genesis,  and  the  first  word  in 
the  Gospel  of  St  John,  is  "  An,"  instead  of  "  Anns  an,"  as  in  for- 
mer editions.  This  has  not  been  considered  an  improvement  by 
any  one,  except,  perhaps,  the  translators  of  said  editions,  and  a 
few  of  their  friends.  People  who  knew  nothing  of  the  laws  of 
Orthography  and  Etymology  condemned  the  change.  They 
naturally  missed  the  emphatic  form  of  the  preposition ; 
because  the  want  of  due  emphasis  makes  the  sense  of  a 
word  or  a  passage  rather  vague.  "  Ann  an "  is  very  often 
to  be  found  in  Scripture,  but  not  so  often  as  it  might  be,  if 
due  regard  had  been  paid  to  the  matter.  Whenever  the  Greek 
preposition  "en"  is  translated  into  English  by  "in,"  it  should 
be  translated  into  Gaelic  by  "  ann  an,"  in  every  case  in  which  the 


Stray  Notes  on  Gaelic.  63 

phrase  in  which  it  occurs  is  emphatic  ;  e.g.,  "  ann  an  neamh,"  in 
heaven  ;  "  ann  an  ifrim,"  in  hell ;  "  ann  an  Eirinn,"  in  Ireland ; 
"  ann  an  Alba,"  in  Scotland  ;  "  ann  an  dorchadas,"  in  darkness  ; 
<fcc.,  &c.  Let  "  ann  an  "  be  changed  into  "  an  "  in  the  above,  and 
in  the  hundreds  of  similar  instances  which  I  might  easily  mention, 
and  the  result  would  be  that,  in  the  majority  of  them,  "  an  " 
might  be  taken  by  many  learners  of  the  Gaelic  to  be  the 
article.  This  would  lead  both  to  confusion  as  regards  two  very 
different  parts  of  speech,  and  also  to  weakness  and  vagueness  of 
expression — two  things  that  should  be  very  carefully  avoided  both 
by  writers  and  speakers. 

"  Agus"  and  "is"  are  two  forms  of  the  couplative  conjunction, 
and  should  never  be  used  indiscriminately  either  in  speaking  or  in 
writing.  Of  late  years  it  has  become  rather  common  to  leave  out 
"  is,"  and  to  use  "  'us"  instead.  This  is  one  of  the  common 
mistakes  into  which  well-meaning  writers  have  fallen  through 
thinking  that  "  'us"  is  the  right  word  to  use.  They  were  under 
the  impression  that  there  is  only  one  couplative  conjunction,  and 
that  in  some  instances  "'us" — a  contraction  of  "agus" — should  be 
used  in  preference  to  the  uncontracted  form.  Now,  there  can  be 
no  doubt  as  to  the  existence  of  the  two  words  "agus"  and  "is." 
"  Agus"  is  the  emphatic  word,  and  "  is"  is  used  only  wheD  a  pair 
of  words  must  be  brought  into  a  close  connection  to  one  another. 
Let  me  try  to  make  this  point  plainer.  "  Agus"  may  often  begin 
a  sentence,  but  "is"  can  never  be  the  first  word  of  a  sentence.  We 
may  say  "mise  is  tusa,"  but  it  would  not  be  correct  to  say  "mise  agus 
tusa,"  because  though  not  violating  any  grammatical  rule  that  I 
know  of,  we  would  be  violating  the  rules  of  good  style  by  putting 
three  emphatic  words  side  by  side.  A  comma  should  not  be  put 
before  "  is,"  but  as  a  general  rule  it  may  be  put  before  "  agus," 
e.g.,  Fhreagair  e,  agus  thuirt  e  mar  so,  "  Ma  bheir  thu  dhomhsa 
iad  gu  leir,  bheir  mi  learn  iad  eadar  mhath  is  olc."  Very  many 
instances  could  be  brought  forward  in  addition  to  the  above  to 
prove  that  "agus"  and  "is"  should  be  used,  "agus"  to  do  the 
double  duty  of  connecting  and  emphasising,  and  "  is"  to  connect 
words  only. 

"Biodh,"  "bhios,"  are  not  contractions  of  "bitheadh,"  and 
41  bhitheas,"  as  many  are  apt  to  think.  They  are  original  forms 
of  the  verb  "  Bi."  When  the  emphasis  falls  on  the  verb,  the  long 
forms  "  Bitheadh"  and  "  Bhitheas"  are  used,  e.g.,  "  Am  biodh  e 
trie  a'  leughadh  1  Bhitheadh.  In  the  above  question  the  emphasis 
is  on  "leughadh,"  and  as  the  answer  is  emphatic  the  long  form  of  the 
word  can  only  be  used.  In  the  following  sentences  the  long  and  the 


64  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

short  forms  of  the  words  are  given  to  show  how  and  when  they 
are  used  by  the  best  speakers  : — Ma  bhitheas  gus  nach  bi  thus'  ann, 
bidh  mise  ann,  ma  bhios  mi  bed  air  air  chionn  an  latka.  BITHEADH 
no  na  BITHEADH  an  latha  math,  biodh  iad  a'  falbh  cho  luath  Js  a 
bhios  iad  deiseit.  Am  fear  a  bhios  air  dheireadh  beiridh  a  bhiast 
air.  Am  bi  thu  fhein  ann?  Is  mi  a  BHITHEAS.  An  DUBHAIRT 
e  gu  feumadh  e  falbh  am  maireach  ?  THUBHAIRT.  Co  a  thuirt  riut 
gu'n  DUBHAIRT  e  briathran  cho  mi-iomchuidh  sin  ?  THUBHAIRT 
Domhull.  It  is  not  necessary  to  multiply  instances  of  this  kind. 

II. ON    PLACE-NAMES. 

To  explain  the  names  of  places  is  one  of  the  most  difficult 
subjects  one  can  take  up.  A  great  deal  of  nonsense  has  been 
written  and  printed  in  connection  witjj  this  subject.  It  seems  to 
be  a  subject  of  unusual  attraction  and  of  more  than  ordinary 
interest  to  many,  because  it  is  generally  supposed  to  be  an  easy 
one.  I  have  no  intention  to  go  deep  into  the  subject,  because  I  find 
I  cannot  do  so  without  much  more  knowledge  than  I  yet  possess.  I 
cannot  forget  that,  "  Philology  based  upon  sound  is  not  sound 
philology."  If  I  mistake  not,  however,  I  have  got  hold  of  one 
point  which  helps  one  to  arrive  at  a  safe  conclusion  as  to  the 
meaning  of  place-names.  The  point  is  this,  that  however  much 
the  letters  of  a  word  may  be  changed  in  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
language,  the  accent  generally  remains  unchanged.  Let  me 
illustrate  this  point.  There  is  a  place  in  Morayshire,  near  the 
Spey,  called  Knockando.  Though  the  accent  is  on  the  second 
syllable,  all  those  that  tried  to  explain  its  meaning  to  me,  with 
one  solitary  exception,  said  it  means  "  Cnocan-dubh,"  "  the  black 
hillock."  This  is  "  philology  based  upon  sound"  with  a  vengeance, 
and  consequently  "  is  not  sound  philology."  If  it  meant  "  Cnocan- 
dubh,"  the  principal  accent  would  necessarily  be  on  the  third  and 
last  syllable.  As  a  rule,  the  people  of  the  place,  or  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood, help  one  to  arrive  at  the  proper  meaning  of  a  place- 
name,  either  by  the  way  in  which  they  pronounce  it,  or  by  being  able 
to  tell  what  the  old  name  of  the  place  was.  In  the  case  before  us 
we  are  helped  both  by  the  pronounciation  and  by  what  the  people 
of  the  neighbourhood  tell  us  as  regards  the  old  name  of  the  place. 
It  was  never  called  "  Cnocan-dubh ;"  but  was  from  time  imme- 
morial called,  "  Cnoc-ceannachd,"  which  means,  "  market-hill."  In 
olden  times  the  market  for  the  district  used  to  be  held  on  this 
hillock,  hence  the  name. 

Now,  let  us  look  a  little  at  the  old  name,  and  at  the  new 
name,  in  order  to  trace  out  the  transition.  "  K"  is  the  only  letter 


Stray  Notes  on  Gaelic.  65 

which  takes  the  place  of  "c"  in  Gaelic  when  an  English  dress  is 
to  be  put  on  a  Gaelic  word.  The  two  words  are  naturally  joined  • 
and  as  neither  two  "  c's"  nor  two  "  k's"  are  admissible  side  by 
side  in  either  language,  one  of  them  must  be  dropped,  and  the 
word,  after  undergoing  such  other  changes  as  the  laws  of  language 
invariably  produce,  assumes  its  present  form.  The  changes 
referred  to  are  the  following  : — The  last  "  n"  in  "  ceannachd,"  the 
second  part  of  the  word,  becomes  "  d,"  "  ea  "  before  "  nn  "  becomes 
"  a,"  and  retains  the  accent,  and  "  a"  in  "  achd,"  which 
is  a  suffix  showing  "ceannachd"  to  be  a  noun  derived  from 
•"  ceannaich,"  becomes  "o,"  and  is  naturally  placed  after  "  d."  It 
may  be  asked  how  is  the  disappearance  of  "  ch"  to  be  accounted 
for  ?  One  explanation  of  it  is,  that  there  is  no  sound  in  English 
•equivalent  to  "  ch"  in  Gaelic,  and  in  consequence  u  ch"  had  to  be 
left  out. 

After  all  the  change  "  Cnoc-ceannachd"  has  undergone  before 
it  became  Knockando,  the  dipthong  "  ea,"  which  in  "  ceannachd" 
is  long  by  position,  as  it  is  followed  by  a  double  consonant,  remains 
long,  and  consequently  the  emphasis  is  on  the  second  syllable  of 
Knockando.  This  is  only  one  of  the  many  instances  which  might 
be  brought  forward  to  prove  the  point  under  discussion. 

There  is  also  a  tendency  on  the  part  of  many,  when  explaining 
the  names  of  places,  to  think  that  the  number  of  syllables  in  a 
modern,  or  English,  name  of  a  place  is  a  safe  guide  to  lead  them 
to  the  old  name.  This  is  far  from  being  the  case.  It  often 
happens,  of  course,  that  the  number  of  syllables  in  one  word  cor- 
responds with  the  number  in  another,  as,  for  example,  "  Knock- 
ando" and  **  Cnoc-ceannachd ;"  but  it  is  not  safe  to  build  an 
etymological  law  upon  any  such  foundation.  Let  us,  in  illustration 
of  this  point,  look  at  the  word  "  Ardroil" — the  name  of  a  small 
farm  in  the  parish  of  Uig,  in  Lewis.  This  word  has  only  two 
syllables.  But  what  is  the  meaning  of  it  ?  The  farm  is  never 
called  "  Ardroil"  by  the  natives  when  they  speak  Gaelic,  which 
they,  as  a  rule,  do.  They  call  it  "  Eadar  dha  fhaoghail,"  or,  in 
rapid  conversation,  "  Eadstr-a-fhaoghail."  Now,  while  the  name  of 
the  farm  in  English  has  only  two  syllables,  the  name  in  Gaelic  has 
five.  Still,  the  point  to  which  I  was  drawing  attention  in  the  case 
•of  Knockando  holds  true  here,  namely,  that  the  accented  or 
emphatic  syllable  in  the  Gaelic  name,  "  Eadar-a-fhaoghail,"  is 
retained  in  the  English  name,  "Ardroil."  In  the  Gaelic 
name,  "  ao "  corresponds  with  "  oi "  in  the  English  name. 
One  can  imagine  how  easily  some  people  conld  see  the 
.adjective  "  ard,"  "high,"  or  the  noun  "  aird,"  "height," 

5 


66  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

in  the  "  Ardroil."  Let  us  try  to  follow  the  probable  steps  by 
which  the  change  took  place.  "  Eadar-da-fhaoghail"  means. 
"  between  two  fords" — a  very  good  description  of  the  farm,  which 
is  between  two  large  rivers,  over  which  there  was  no  bridge  in 
olden  times.  By  leaving  out  the  silent  letters  "  fh"  and  "  gh," 
we  have  "  Eadar-da-ao-ail."  As  "  aa"  and  "  oa"  are  not  admissible 
combinations  of  letters  in  the  Gaelic,  two  of  the  three  "  a's"  must 
be  struck  out.  This  leaves  the  word  "  Eadar-daoil."  By  law 
"d"  and  "r"  often  change  places,  and  these  changes  are  often 
followed  by  the  transposition  of  vowels  and  other  consonants,  so 
that  we  have  "  Ardroil,"  as  the  English  equivalent  of  "  Eadar  da- 
fhaoghail." 

But  the  rarest  piece  of  etymological  nonsense  that  ever  I  came 
across  is  to  be  found  in  a  schoolbook  published  by  a  firm  of  well- 
known  publishers  in  Glasgow.  The  ifkme  of  the  book  is  "  Com- 
bined Reader  for  Standard  III."  It  treats  of  history  and  geography,, 
and  its  special  feature  is  the  prominent  place  given  in  its  pages  to 
fanciful  explanations  of  the  names  of  places.  The  name 
"  Benbeeula"  is  said,  in  this  precious  little  book,  to  mean  "  The 
island  of  little  women  ! ! !"  One  can  imagine  the  writer,  who,  if 
one  can  believe  anything  of  what  is  written  in  the  book,  got  the 
greater  part  of  his  information  when  cruising  about  the  Highlands 
and  Islands  in  a  yacht,  asking  gravely  of  some  one  "  What  is  the 
meaning  of  '  Ben  ?  "  "  0,  *  ben'  is  the  Gaelic  name  for  '  a  woman.' " 
"  And  what  is  the  meaning  of  '  bee  V  "  "  Beg"  is  the  word  we 
have  for  "  little,"  the  party  would  probably  have  replied.  Then 
our  learned  friend,  whose  philology  seems  to  have  been  based 
wholly  upon  sound,  and  not  upon  sense,  would  have  concluded 
that  he  knew  enough  to  enable  him  at  once  to  say  that 
"  Benbeeula"  means  "  The  island  of  little  women."  He  evidently 
felt  no  scruples  about  throwing  away  half  the  word,  namely,, 
"  ula."  Fanciful  theories  seem  to  enable  many  to  surmount 
difficulties  which  to  many  others  are  quite  insurmountable.  On 
the  authority  of  the  same  writer,  "  Benledi"  means  "  Beinn  le 
Dia,  "A  mountain  of  or  belonging  to  God."  Strange  that  "  Ben" 
in  the  one  word  should  mean  "  a  woman,"  and  in  the  other  "  a 
hill,"  or  "  a  mountain."  The  explanation  of  "  Benledi"  is  pure 
nonsense. 

"  Benbeeula"  is  the  English  form  of  "  Beinn  na  faoghlach," 
the  name  always  given  to  the  island  by  the  people  of  the  Long 
Island.  There  are  only  two  hills  in  Benbeeula,  and  to  distinguish 
between  them,  one  was  called  "  Beinn-na-faoghlach"  and  the  other 
"  Beinn-fhuidheidh."  "  Beinn-na-faoghlach'  is  near  the  ford 


Stray  Notes  on  Gaelic.  67 

(faoghail)  between  Beribecula  and  North  Uist,  hence  the  name. 
The  name,  when  rapidly  pronounced,  is  "  Beinn-a-bhaoghla"  or 
"  Beinn-a-faoghla."  "  Ch"  in  both  cases  is  left  out,  as  is  now  too 
often  the  case.  The  genius  of  the  Gaelic  language  requires  that 
every  vowel  should  be  closed  by  a  consonant.  This  is  easily  under- 
stood when  one  remembers  that,  as  a  general  rule,  every  syllable 
should  begin  with  a  vowel  or  diphthong.  The  exceptions  to  this 
rule  are  mainly  to  be  found  at  the  beginning  of  such  words  as 
begin  with  a  consonant,  and  in  such  words  as  "  oglach,"  which  is 
a  compound  word.  In  fact  this  last  word,  being  in  reality  two 
words,  is  not  an  exception  at  all.  But  to  return  from  this 
digression,  I  must  mako  some  further  remarks  on  "Benbecula," 
especially  as  regards  the  point  to  which  I  made  reference  in  my 
remarks  on  the  place  names  already  considered,  namely,  the 
position  of  the  main  accent  of  both  the  Gaelic  and  the  English 
name.  Three  "n's"  cannot  be  used  side  by  side.  The  disappearance 
of  "ch"  from  the  end  of  a  word  has  been  already  referred  to, 
and  the  only  other  changes  which  took  place  are,  that,  according 
to  rule,  "f"  becomes  "  b,"  and  "g"  became  "  c."  By  these 
changes  "  Beinn  'a  faoghla"  becomes  "Ben(n)abaocla."  "  Bena- 
baocla"  could  not  be  easily  pronounced  in  English,  because  "  ao," 
as  a  dipthong,  is  not  used  in  English  at  all.  In.  order  to  suit 
the  English  ear  the  word  had  to  be  written  in  its  present  form. 
But  "  ao"  is  a  dipthong  which  is  invariably  long,  and  in  conse- 
quence of  this,  the  main  accent  of  the  word  remains  in  its  original 
position,  even  though  the  diphthong  "  ao"  had  to  give  place  to  a 
single  vowel.  The  people  of  Benbecula  were  called,  "  Baoghlaich," 
which  is  the  same  as  "  Faoghlaich,"  and  were  without  doubt  called 
so,  because  they  had  to  cross  the  north  and  south  fords  when  they 
had  occasion  to  leave  their  native  island  on  any  business. 

As  regards  "  Benledi,"  to  which  I  made  some  reference  already, 
the  position  of  the  accent  seems  to  me  to  be  a  strong  proof  that 
its  meaning  is  not,  "  Beinn  le  Dia."  The  vowel  "  e,"  in  the  pre- 
position "  le,"  is  never  long,  and  consequently  can't  be  accented. 
As  the  accent  is  011  "e,"  the  middle  syllable  of  "Benledi,"  it  can't 
mean  "  Beinn  le  Dia,"  whatever  it  may  mean. 

T.II. —  ON   WORDS    WHICH    SEEM    TO    THROW   SOME    LIGHT    ON    CERTA-IN 

POINTS   IN    CONNECTION    WITH   THE   PAST   HISTORY    OF   THE 

HIGHLANDERS. 

Of  late  years  we  have  been  told,  on  the  highest  authority,  that 
there  is  no  Gaelic  word  corresponding  to  the  English  word  "  rent," 
and  this  has  been  made  use  of  by  many  who  were,  and  possibly 


68  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

still  are,  against  paying  "  rent."  They  maintained  that  the  paying 
of  "  rent  "  is  one  of  those  evils  which  sprung  into  existence  at  a 
comparatively  recent  date,  and  that,  consequently,  it  should  be 
abolished  at  the  earliest  possible  opportunity.  They  tell  us  that 
"  mal,"  the  word  commonly  used  for  "rent,"  is  a  loan-word  from 
the  English,  and  that  it  is  the  same  as  "  blackmail."  Well,  this 
may  be  quite  true.  But  "  blackmail  "  is  a  word  that  suggests  to 
any  one,  I  should  think,  that  there  was  some  other  "  mail " 
besides  "  blackmail.'5  When  the  word  "  black  "  is  used  to  qualify 
anything,  the  natural  inference  is  that  there  must  have  been  white 
things  as  well  as  black  things.  Black  suggests  white,  the  same  as 
cold  suggests  heat,  and  evil  suggests  good,  &c.,  &c.  I  hope  no 
one  will  think  for  a  moment  that  I  am  writing  either  against  those 
who  have  to  pay  rent  or  in  favour  of  those  who  receive  rent.  I 
am  only  stating  my  opinion,  and  as  loftg  as  other  people  claim  the 
liberty  of  stating  their  opinion  freely,  surely  they  will  not  grudgj 
me  a  similar  liberty. 

If  "  mal "  is  a  loan  word  from  the  English,  "  paigh  "  is  also  a 
loan  word.  "  Paigh  "  is  simply  the  English  word  "  pay."  It  is 
the  word  which  is  now  invariably  used,  both  in  written  and  spoken 
Gaelic.  I  am  not  referring  to  Gaelic  written  or  printed  eighty  or 
one  hundred  years  ago,  and  which  may  have  been  repeatedly 
printed  or  transcribed  since.  I  am  only  saying  that,  for  many 
years,  "  paigh,"  a  loan-word  from  the  English,  has  been  invariably 
used  all  over  the  Highlands.  But  there  is  a  Gaelic  word  for 
"  rent,"  namely,  "ioc."  In  Macleod  and  Dewar's  Dictionary  "ioc"  is 
the  word  given  for  "  rent  "  or  "  payment."  As  a  verb,  "  ioc  " 
means  "  pay,"  "  render,"  etc.  The  only  place  in  which  I  find  "  ioc" 
used  is  in  the  Scriptures.  In  one  of  the  Gospels  we  have  "  Ioc 
dhomh  na  bheil  agam  ort  "  ("  Pay  me  what  thou  owest").  In 
another  Gospel  we  have  "  Nach  'eil  bhur  maighstir-sa  ag  iocadh  na 
cise  ?  ("Doth  not  your  master  pay  tribute  ?")  uloc,"  the  Imperative 
Mood,  is  the  root  word.  From  this  root  we  have  got  several 
words  which  throw  light  upon  the  point  under  consideration.  "  loch- 
daran  "  and  "  Uachdaran  "  are  co-relative  terms.  "  lochdaran"  is 
the  one  who  pays,  and  "  UacKdaran"  is  the  one  who  receives 
payment.  "Uachdaran  is  iochdaran"  are  the  words  which,  to 
this  day,  are  used  when  speaking  of  people  in  their  relations  to  each 
-other  as  landlords  and  tenants.  If,  however,  the  landlord  happened 
to  have  the  title  of  Lord,  or  Earl,  &c.,  he  would  have  been  called  by 
courtsey,  "  Morofhear,"  and  not  "  Uachdaran."  The  House  of  Lords 
was  called  "  Taigh  nam  Morofhearan,"  and  the  Lords  of  the  Court  of 
Session  were  called  "  Na  Morofhearan  Dearga."  "  Morofhear"= 
*'  Morfhear,"  "  the  big  man."  The  title  given  to  a  nobleman  very 


Stray  Notes  on  Gaelic.  69 

often  was  "  Urra-mh6r."  "lochdar"  and  "Uachdar,"  "upper" 
and  "  lower,"  were,  and  still  are,  used  in  a  general  way.  But,  as 
may  be  inferred  from  the  proverb,  "Clachan  beaga  'dol  an  iochdar 
's  clachan  m6ra  'tighinn  an  uachdar,"  "  Little  stones  going 
below,  and  big  stones  coming  above,  "  iochdar"  and  "  uachdar" 
show  that  the  idea  of  paying  and  receiving  payment  is  not  left 
out  of  sight.  It  shows  also  that  in  obedience  to  a  natural  law  one 
class  of  people  rises  in  the  world,  while  another  class  must  of 
necessity  go  down.  There  must  be  upper  and  lower  among  men 
in  spite  of  all  efforts  to  the  contrary. 

There  are  other  terms  which  mark  the  distinction  as  regards 
the  social  position  of  the  people,  namely,  "  uasal"  and  "iosal," 
"high"  and  "low."  "Duine  uasal,"  "gentleman,"  does  not 
necessarily  mean  a  man  of  a  gentle  and  amiable  nature,  but  a  man 
who  is  in  a  high  position  through  having  property.  This  seems 
quite  plain  when  the  correlative  term  "  iosal"  is  taken  into  con- 
sideration. It  seems  that  the  possession  of  property  was  con- 
sidered a  necessary  qualification  of  a  "  duine  uasal."  The  proverb, 
"  Uaisle  gun  chuid,  agus  niaragan  gun  gheir"  "  Gentility  without 
property,  and  puddings  without  tallow"  plainly  point  out  this. 
The  meaning  of  the  proverb  is,  that,  as  puddings  could  not  be 
made  without  tallow,  a  man  could  not  be  a  gentleman  without 
possessing  property.  The  idea  that  a  gentleman  should  be  rich, 
and  very  liberal  about  his  riches,  is  strongly  entertained  by  many 
all  over  the  Highlands  to  this  very  day. 

It  is  remarkable  that  there  are  no  names  in  the  Gaelic  for  the 

various  meals  we  take.     "  Braiceist,"  "  dinneir,"  and  "  suipeir"  are 

loa.n-words  from  the  English.     This  proves  that  the  Highlanders 

of  old  had   no  stated  times  for  taking  their  meals.     The  Gaelic 

word  commonly  used  is   "  biadh,"  food.     "  Thig    dhachaidh  gu 

d'  bhiadh,"  "  come  home  to  your  food ;"   "  tha  'in  biadh  deiseil," 

'  the  food  is  ready  ;"  "  tha  'n  t-am  am  biadh  a  dheasachadh,"  "  it 

s  time  to  prepare  the  food,"  &c.,  &c.,  were  the  usual  expressions. 

*  Diota,"  a  word  common  in  many  places,  is  a  loan-word,  namely, 

'  diet."     The  words  "  Dia,"  "  God,"  "  diabhul,"  "  devil,"  "  ifrinn," 

'hell,"  "neamh."  "heaven,"  are  also  loan-words,  namely,  "  Deus," 

'diabolus,"   "  infernum,"    "nebula."      " Flaitheanas"    is   Gaelic. 

From  this  it  is  clear  that  the  Highlanders  of  old,  though  they 

believed  in  a  state  of  future  blessedness,  had  no  idea  of  God,  or  of 

the  devil,  or  of  a  place  of  future  torment. 

Much  more  of  this  sort  of  thing  might  be  written,  but  if  these 
"  Notes"  are  wise  they  are  long  enough,  and  if  they  are 
(which  is  more  than  likely),  they  are  by  far  too  long. 


70  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

24th  FEBRUARY,  1892. 

At  this  meeting  Mr  William  Mackay,  solicitor,  Inverness,  read 
a  paper  on  "  General  Monck's  Campaign  in  the  Highlands  in 
1654."  Mr  Mackay's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

THREE   UNPUBLISHED   DESPATCHES   FROM 
GENERAL  MONCK, 

DESCRIBING  HIS  MILITARY  OPERATIONS  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS  IN  1654. 

General  Monck's  campaign  in  the  Highlands  in  1654  has 
strangely  escaped  the  notice  of  Scottish  historians.  Except  by 
Hill  Burton,  who  only  refers  to  his  Operations  in  the  Southern 
Highlands,  and  evidently  did  not  know  of  his  expedition  into  the 
counties  of  Inverness  and  Ross,  it  was  not  even  alluded  to  until 
Mr  Julian  Corbett  published  his  interesting  life  of  Monck  in  1889 
(u  English  Men  of  Action  Series'").  The  following  despatches, 
which  have  never  been  published,  throw7  a  flood  of  light  on  the 
event,  and  show  what  a  brilliant  affair  it  was.  The  transcripts 
are  taken  from  Monck's  own  copies,  which  are  preserved  in  the 
Library  of  Worcester  College,  Oxford — and  for  them  I  am  indebted 
to  the  courtesy  of  the  Rev.  the  Warden  of  the  College  and  the 
Librarian. 

A  few  words  by  way  of  introduction  to  the  despatches. 
Although  the  Scots  surrendered  Charles  the  First  to  the  English 
Parliamentary  Party,  they  disapproved  of  his  execution,  and 
brought  his  son,  Charles  the  Second,  home  to  reign  in  his  stead. 
The  new  King's  supporters  were,  however,  defeated  by  the  English 
at  Dtmbar,  in  June,  1650,  and  again  at  Worcester,  in  September, 
1651.  After  Worcester,  Cromwell's  soldiers  over-ran  the  greater 
part  of  Scotland,  and  ruled  the  country — establishing,  among 
other  garrisons,  one  at  Inverness — at  the  Citadel,  or  Sconce — and 
another  at  Brahan.  Certain  Highland  chiefs,  however,  including 
Lochiel  and  Glengarry,  still  held  out  for  the  Stewarts,  and  when 
the  Earl  of  Glencairn  raised  the  Royal  Standard,  in  1653,  they 
hastened  to  join  him.  Glencairn  wasted  time  in  aimless  marches, 
and  before  long  he  had  to  yield  the  chief  command  to  the  more 
energetic  General  Middleton.  Lilburne,  who  commanded  Crom- 
well's forces  in  Scotland,  proved,  notwithstanding  the  famous 
Colonel  Morgan's  assistance,  unable  to  suppress  the  Royalist  ris- 
ing. Cromwell,  therefore,  resolved  to  put  a  stronger  man  in  his 


Advance      -marches         — 

Return      TYta-robee 

Halting     ptac««     ineniioned X 


Unpublished  Despatches  from  General  Mo  nek.        73 

place,  and  in  April,  1654,  Monck  arrived  at  Dalkeith,  in  the 
capacity  of  Governor  of  Scotland,  and  armed  with  the  fullest 
powers. 

He  at  once  prepared  to  follow  the  Royalists  into  the  High- 
lands. In  May  he  moved  to  Stirling,  from  whence  he  advanced 
into  the  district  of  Aberfoyle,  where,  after  repeated  repulses,  he 
dispersed  the  forces  of  Glencairn.  He  then  marched  northward  to 
meet  Middleton — having  arranged  that  he  should  be  joined  by 
Morgan,  who  was  stationed  at  Brahan,  and  by  Colonel  Brayne, 
who  was  despatched  to  bring  2000  men  from  Ireland  to  Inver- 
lochy.  His  movements  were  extraordinarily  rapid.  He  started 
from  St  Johnstone's  (Perth),  on  Friday,  9th  June,  with  a  force  of 
horse  and  foot,  which  included  his  own  regiment,  now  the  famous 
Coldstream  Guards.  I  shall  allow  himself  to  tell  the  rest  of  the 
story  ;  and  the  accompanying  map,  which  has  kindly  been  pre- 
pared by  Mr  James  Fraser,  C.E.,  will  help  us  to  follow  his  foot- 
steps. The  first  despatch  is  addressed  to  General  Lambert,  from 
Glenmoriston,  en  25th  June ;  the  second,  to  Cromwell,  from 
.Ruthven  in  Badenoch,  on  7th  July  ;  and  the  third,  to  Cromwell, 
from  Stirling,  on  29th  July. 

I. MONCK    TO    LAMBERT. 

My  Lord, — We  are  now  come  thus  farre  for  the  finding-out  of 
the  Enemy,  and  have  received  information  that  Middleton  is  with 
the  greatest  parte  of  his  force,  reported  to  bee  betweene  three  and 
foure  thousand,  at  Kintale,  which  is  about  18  miles  hence,  where 
I  intende  to  bee  this  day,  and,  if  possible,  either  engage  or  scatter 
them.  However,  I  shall  with  these  Forces  attend  his  motions  to 
prevent  his  further  leavies.  Col.  Brayne  was  with  mee  (with  ye 
Marquesse  of  Argile)  on  Thursday  last  at  the  foot  of  Lough 
Loughee,  6  miles  from  Inner  Loughee,  where  hee  hath  entrencht 
those  forces  hee  brought  from  Ireland. 

I  remain  yr.  Lordshippe's  most  humble  servt., 

GEORGE  MONCK. 

Campe  at  Glenmorriston,  25th  June,  1654. 

II. — MONCK    TO    CROMWELL. 

May  itt  please  your  Highnesse, 

Wee  are  now  returned  back  thus  farre  after  the 
Enemy  under  Middleton,  who  by  a  teadious  march  have  harras't 
out  their  horse  very  much  ;  both  Highlanders  and  Lowlanders 
begin  to  quitt  them.  They  are  now  about  Dunkell,  butt  wee 


74  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

heare  they  intend  to  march  towards  the  Head  of  Lough-Lomond, 
wee  shall  doe  our  best  to  overtake  them  in  the  Reare,  or  putt 
them  to  a  very  teadious  march,  the  which  wee  hope  will  utterlie 
breake  them.  I  desire  your  Highnesse  will  be  pleased  to  give 
order  That  care  may  bee  taken  that  the  Irish  forces  that  are  att 
Loughaber  may  continue  there,  for  a  yeare  :  I  finde  they  are  very 
unwilling,  being  they  were  promist  (as  they  say)  to  returne  within 
3  or  4  Monthes,  but  being  that  providence  hath  ordered  That  that 
partie  should  come  into  those  parts  itt  will  bee  a  great  deale  of 
trouble  to  shippe  them  away,  &  to  shippe  other  men  to  Releive 
them  in  that  place  ;  and  truly  the  place  is  of  that  Consequence 
for  the  keeping  of  a  garrison  there  for  the  destroying  of  the 
stubbornest  enemy  wee  have  in  the  Hills,  that  of  the  Clan 
Cameron's  and  Glengaries,  and  the  Earle  of  Seafort's  people,  that 
wee  shall  not  bee  able  to  doe  our  worlft  unlesse  wee  continue  a 
Garrison  there  for  one  yeare  ;  For  in  case  we  should  withdraw 
that  Garrison  towards  the  winter  from  thence  these  3  clans  doe 
soe  over  awe  the  rest  of  the  clans  of  the  Country  that  they  would 
bee  able  to  inforce  them  to  rise,  in  case  wee  should  withdraw  our 
garrisons,  and  nott  find  them  imployment  att  home  the  next 
Summer  before  there  will  bee  any  grasse  for  us  to  subsist  in  the 
Hills  :  In  case  wre  should  putt  in  some  of  our  owne  forces  there 
and  return  the  others  into  Ireland  wee  shall  not  have  shipping  to 
doe  both,  besides  the  unsetling  of  one  and  setling  the  other  will 
be  a  great  inconvenience  to  us  :  This  I  thought  fitt  humbly  to 
offer  to  your  Highnesse,  concerning  which  I  shall  humbly  desire 
to  have  your  Highnesse  speedy  Answer  what  you  intend  to  doe 
with  the  Irish  forces,  and  in  case  you  doe  intend  the  Irish  forces 
shall  stay  there,  T  desire  you  will  please  to  write  to  L.  Col.  Finch 
who  commands  the  Irish  Forces  under  Col,  Brayne  that  they  may 
stay  there,  for  I  finde  they  are  something  unwilling  unless  they 
putt  your  Highnesse  to  that  trouble  &  therefore  now  the  letter 
may  be  speeded  to  him  as  soone  as  may  be  if  your  Highnesse 
thinke  fitt.  Col.  Morgan  is  att  present  about  ye  Bray  of  Marre, 
<fc  Col.  Tvvistleton  neere  Glasgowe  with  Col.  Pride's  Regiment. 

I  remain,  &c., 

GEORGE  MONCK. 

Cainpe  at  Ruthven  in  Badgenoth, 
7  July  1654. 

III. MONCK    TO    CROMWELL. 

May  itt  please  your  Highnesse, 

Being  returned  hither  I  thought   itt  my  duty  to 
resent  your  Highnesse  with  the  enclosed  acct.  of  these  forces' 


Unpublished  Despatches  from  General  Monch.         75 

six   weeks  march  in  the   Hills,  which  I  humbly  tender  to  your 
consideration,  and  remayne, 

Your  Highnesses  most  humble  Servent, 

GEORGE  MONCK. 

Sterling,  29th  July,  1654. 

Narrative  of  Proceedings  in  the  Hills  from  June  9  to  29  July, 
16f>4-     [Endorsement .] 

Uppon  Friday  the  9th  of  June  I  marched  with  Col.  Okey's, 
and  the  Regiment  of  Horse  late  Major  Generall  Harrison's,  and  50 
of  Capt.  Green's  troope  of  Dragoones,  my  owne,  Col.  Overton's,  4 
•companies  of  Sir  Wm.  Constable's,  one  of  Col.  Fairfax's,  and  one 
of  Col.  Alured's  Regiment  of  Foote,  from  S.  Johnston's  for  the 
Hills,  and  coming  uppon  the  12th  to  Lough  Tay.  Understanding 
that  an  Island  therein  was  garrison'd  by  the  Enemy  I  sent  a 
summons  to  the  Governour,  Capt.  Donald  Robertson,  who 
att  first  returned  answer,  That  hee  would  keepe  itt  for  his 
Majistie's  service  to  the  expence  of  his  laste  droppe  of  bloud, 
but  uppon  the  preparation  of  noates  for  the  storming  of 
itt,  he  rendred  the  Garrison  uppon  articles  the  14th  of 
June,  whereuppon  considering  that  Balloch  the  Laird  of  Glenury's 
[Glenorchy]  House,  Weem's  Castle,  and  the  Isle  were  con- 
siderable to  secure  the  Country,  I  placed  a  Company  of  Foote  in 
Ballock,  and  another  in  Weems  and  the  Isle.  The  Enemy  having 
quitt  Garth  Castle,  a  small  Castle  and  nott  considerable,  leaving 
30  arms  (most  charged)  behinde  them  order  was  given  for  the 
burning  of  itt.  From  thence  I  marched  to  Ruthven  in  Badgenoth, 
where  I  had  notice  of  Middleton's  being  with  his  whole  force  about 
Glengaries  Bounds,  which  hasten'd  my  March  the  20th  to  Cluny, 
and  from  thence  the  next  day  to  Glenroy,  which  being  the  first 
Bounds  of  the  Clan  Camerons  I  quarter'd  att,  and  they  being  uppe 
in  arms  against  us,  wee  began  to  fire  all  their  houses.  I  had  there 
notice  Middleton  was  in  Kintale. 

The  23th  the  Marquesse  of  Argyll  and  Coh  Brayne  mett  mee 
att  the  Head  of  Lough  Loughe  and  had  an  account  of  the  killing 
of  threescore  and  odde  of  the  Souldiers  from  Ireland  that  went 
from  Innerloghee,  most  of  them  in  cold  bloud  by  the  Clan 
Cameron's.  The  24th  the  armi  came  to  Glenmoriston,  and  in  the 
wpy  mett  with  Col.  Morgan's  Brigade  neere  Glengaries  new  House 
which  was  burn't  by  that  Brigade  the  day  before,  and  the  remayn- 
ing  structure  I  order'd  to  bee  defaced  by  the  pyoneers.  Col. 
Thomlinson's  owne  troope  with  Capt.  Glynn's  and  Capt.  Farmer's 
troope  of  Dragoones  taken  in  to  march  with  my  partie.  Col. 


76  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Morgan  appointed  to  the  Head  of  Loughnesse  to  attend  the 
Enemies  motion  in  case  wee  should  drive  them  that  way.  Thb 
25th  the  army  came  to  Glenquough,  and  the  next  day  to  Glen- 
Sinnick1  in  Kintale  (where  the  Enemy  had  bin  the  day  before). 
The  violent  storms  in  the  Hills  drove  about  500  cowes  sheepe  and 
goates  for  shelter  into  the  Glen,  which  was  brought  in  by  the 
soulders.  Wee  had  notice  that  Middleton's  Horses  were  gone  to 
Glenelg  that  night.  The  27th  the  Army  came  to  Lough-Els,2 
where  the  Enemy  had  also  bin,  and  left  3  barrells  of  powder  with 
some  store  of  provisions  behinde  them  for  haste.  Ir  all  our  march 
from  Glenroy  wee  burn't  the  houses  and  cottages  of  the  Mac- 
Martin's  and  others  in  armes  and  in  all  parts  of  Seaforth's 
Country. 

The  29th  I  came  to  Glen-teugh3  in  the  Shields  of  Kintale  > 
the  night  was  very  tempestuous  and  blew  down  most  of  the 
tents.  In  all  this  march  wee  saw  only  2  women  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  one  man.  The  30th  the  army  march't  from  Glenteugh  to 
Browling,4  the  way  for  neere  5  miles  soe  boggie  that  about  100 
baggage  horses  were  left  behinde,  and  many  other  horses  begg'd 
or  tir'd.  Never  any  Horse  men  (much  lesse  an  armie)  were 
observ'd  to  march  that  way.  The  soulders  mett  with  500  cattell, 
sheepe,  and  goates,  which  made  some  part  of  ameends  for  the  hard 
march. 

July  1.  Col.  Morgan  came  to  mee  to  Browling  where  he  had 
orders  to  march  into  Caithnesse,  and  to  make  itt  unserviceable 
for  the  Enemies  Quarters  this  Winter.  The  3d  instant  att  Dun- 
neene5  neere  Invernesse  I  received  letters  from  the  Governour  of 
Blaire  Castle  in  Atholl,  that  Middleton  with  his  forces  reputed 
about  4000  Horse  and  Foote  came  within  the  view  of  the  Gar- 
rison indeavouring  to  make  uppe  their  leavies,  and  were  marching 
towards  Dunkell.  That  Seafort,  Glengary,  Sir  Arthur  Forbes,  Sir 
Mungoe  Murray,  Mac-Cloude,  and  others  were  left  behinde  to  per- 

1  Glen-Simiick  or  Glen-Finnick  :  not  now  known.     The  Rev.  Mr  Morison 
of  Kintail  thinks  it  must  have  been  Glengynate,  which  was  probably  the  old 
name  of  the  Glen  through  which  the  Inate  runs. 

2  Loch-Alsh — that  is,  the  southern  shore  of  the  arm  of  the  sea  called 
Lochalsh. 

3  Glenteugh  :  probably  Lon  Fhiodha,  on  the  way  from  Kintail  to  Glen" 
strathfarar. 

4  Brouliue,  in  Glenstrathfarar. 

5  The  fact  that  Monck  was  at  Dunain  seems  to  show  that  from  Glen- 
strathfarar he  marched  up  Strathglass,  and  down  through  Glen-Urquhart,  to 
Inverness. 


Unpublished  Despatches  from  General  Monch.         77 

feet  their  leavies  in  Sir  James  Mac-Donalds  bounds  in  Skye  Island, 
and  Loughaber.  The  6th  Col.  Morgan  came  to  mee  att  Fallaw,1 
neere  Inverness,  and  had  orders  to  march  back  towards  the  Bray 
of  Maur  to  attend  the  Enemies  motion,  myselfe  intending  to  follow 
'them  through  Atholl.  The  7th,  8th,  and  9th,  the  army  continued 
marching,  and  came  the  10th  neere  Weems  Castle.  Col.  Okey 
"was  sent  out  with  a  party  of  200  Horse  and  250  Foote  to  discover 
'the  Enemy,  who  wee  heard  were  marching  from  Garuntilly  towards 
Fosse  :  Some  of  his  partie  alarum'd  the  Earle  of  Atholl's  forces, 
kill'd  3  and  brought  away  4  prisoners.  Having  staid  att  Weems 
the  llth  for  the  taking  in  provisions  wee  march't  the  12th  to 
Lawers :  Middleton  was  the  day  before  att  Finlarick  at  the  Head 
of  Lough  Tay,  and  burn't  that  House  belonging  to  the  Laird  of 
'Glenurqy.  The  14th,  marched  from  Glendowert  to  Glenloughee 
•about  16  miles.  In  the  evening  the  Enemy  under  Middleton 
were  discovered  by  our  Scouts,  marching  in  Glenstrea  and 
firing  the  Country  as  they  went  (having  risen  from 
before  the  House  of  Glenurqy  in  Loughoe2  before  which 
they  had  layne  2  dayes,  and  had  made  some  preparations 
to  storm  itt,  The  Marquesse  of  Argyll  and  Glenurqy 
being  in  it).  But  uppon  the  view  of  some  few  of  our  forces  they 
•dispersed  severall  wayes,  our  men  being  to  passe  over  an  high  hill 
towards  them,  and  night  approaching  could  not  engage  them, 
they  left  behinde  them  divers  of  their  baggage  horses  with 
portmantuats  and  provisions,  some  of  them  march't  that  night  to 
Rannogh  above  16  miles,  by  which  time  they  were  reduc't  from 
4000,  which  they  were  once  reported  to  bee,  to  lesse  than  2000. 
The  next  day  I  marched  to  Strasfellon,  where  the  Marquesse  of 
Argyll  mett  mee  and  declar'd  his  resolution  to  use  his  indeavours 
to  oppose  the  Enemy  :  They  took  4  of  his  horses  that  morning. 
The  19th  Major  Kerne  of  Major  Generall  Harrison's  late  Regiment 
with  a  partie  of  Horse  being  sent  out  to  discover  the  Enemy, 
whose  scouts  alarum'd  them,  and  hasten'd  their  march  from 
Rannogh  towards  Badgenoth,  soe  that  the  next  day  July  20  uppon 
my  march  towards  Glen-lion  wee  had  newes  by  one  who  brought 
away  Middleton's  paddle-nagge,  That  Col.  Morgan  had  the  day 
before  mett  with  Middleton's  Horse  and  routed  them  neere 
Lough-Gary,  which  was  confirmed  by  about  25  prisoners  taken 
this  night  and  brought  in,  and  among  the  rest  Lt.  Col.  Peter  Hay 
(who  lately  escaped  out  of  Edinburgh  Castle),  Capt.  Graham,  and 

1  Faillie,  in  Strathnairn.        2  Loch  Awe. 


78  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

others.  Major  Bridge  was  sent  out  with  130  Horse  and  Dragoons 
towards  Lough  Rannogh  to  fall  upon  the  straglers,  and  returned 
the  next  day  to  the  Campe  neere  Weems  having  falne  upon  a 
partie  of  Horse  and  Foote  under  Atholl,  tooke  some  prisoners, 
much  baggage,  and  amongst  the  rest  Atholl's  portmantua,  clothes, 
linnen,  his  Com'isn  from  Ch.  Stuart  [Charles  the  Second],  divers 
letters  from  him  and  Middleton  and  other  papers  of  Concernment, 
Atholl  himself  narrowlie  escaping. 

The  23d  at  the  Campe  neere  S.  Johnston's  I  had  letters  froui 
Col.  Morgan  of  the  defeate  of  Middleton's  partie  above  300. 
Horse  taken  with  his  commission  and  instructions  from  Charles 
Stuart  and  other  considerable  papers.  Alsoe  Kenmore's  [Lord 
Ken  mure]  sumpter  horse.  The  number  of  the  enemy  was  800 
horse,  uppon  whose  route  1200  foote  which  they  had  within  4 
miles  alsoe  fled  towards  Loquaber.  Th^number  taken  and  kill'd 
is  nott  yett  sent,  but  divers  of  those  which  escaped  are  much 
wounded  ;  and  amongst  the  rest  some  of  the  prisoners  report  that 
Middleton  had  the  States  Marke.  Wee  are  now  come  hither  where 
wee  shall  stay  some  few  days  for  refreshment.  Some  small  parties 
of  the  Enemy  are  abroad  in  the  country,  and  on  Munday  and 
Tuesday  nights  last,  burn't  Castle  Campbell,  an  House  belonging 
to  the  Marquesse  of  Argyll,  and  Dunblain  a  Garrison  kept  by  us 
last  Winter,  and  say  they  have  orders  from  Middleton  to  burne 
all  the  stronge  Houses  neere  the  Hills.  On  Tuesday  I  intend  to 
inarch  hence  towards  Lough  Lomond  neere  which  place  Glencairne 
hath  layne  all  this  while  with  about  200  Horse,  and  I  heare  that 
Forrester  Mac-naughton  and  others  are  joyned  with  him  about 
Abrifoyle  and  make  him  uppe  500  Horse  and  Foote,  whome  I 
shall  also  indeavour  to  disperse. 

I  shall  only  add  that  Monck's  expedition  into  the  Loch 
Lomond  district  was  attended  with  complete  success,  and  that  he 
was  able  to  return  to  his  headquarters  at  Dalkeith  by  the  end  of 
August.  As  Governor  of  Scotland  he  did  much  good ;  and  he 
became  so  popular  with  the  Highlanders  that  when,  after  the 
death  of  Cromwell,  he  marched  into  England  to  bring  about  the 
Restoration  of  Charles  the  Second,  Lochiel,  for  whom  he  had  an 
intense  admiration,  was  able  to  attach  himself  to  his  staff,  and 
ride  with  him  to  London. 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  79 

9th  MARCH,  1892. 

At  this  meeting  Mr  Thomas  Edward  Hall  Maxwell  of  Dargavel, 
Dunolly,  Inverness,  was   elected  a  member  of  the  Society.     M 
Alexander  Macbain,  M.A.,  thereafter  read  a  paper  on  "  The  Gaeli 
Dialect  of  Badenoch."     Mr  Macbain's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

THE  GAELIC  DIALECT  OF  BADENOCH. 

Badenoch,  from  its  central  position  in  the  Scottish  Highlands, 
perched  as  it  is  among  the  Grampian  Hills,  might  be  expectedfto 
have  one  of  the  purest  dialects  of  Gaelic  in  Scotland.  We  might 
at  least  expect  the  purity  of  its  tongue  to  equal  that  of  Lochaber, 
the  neighbouring  district  to  the  west ;  but  such  is  by  no  means 
the  case.  The  valley  of  the  Spey  has  for  long  been  exposed  to 
the  pacific  invasion  of  the  Lowland  Scotch  or  the  "  Gall ;"  the 
lowest  reaches  of  the  river  have  for  centuries  been  Scotch  in 
language,  and  Strathspey  is  now  practically  in  a  like  condition. 
A  considerable  amount  of  Gaelic  is  still  spoken  in  the  Upper 
Strathspey  district — that  is,  in  the  parishes  of  Abernethy  and 
Duthil;  but  Grantown,  as  against  Kingussie,  is  a  Lowland 
village.  The  number  of  Scotch  and  English  words  in  the  dialect 
of  Badenoch  is  now  vory  large  ;  the  people,  especially  the  young 
people,  appropriate  English  words,  and  impress  them  into  a 
Gaelic  sentence,  with  the  utmost  indifference.  Such  a  sentence  as 
follows  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  was  actually  spoken  by  one 
Englified  Gael  from  a  far-away  glen  in  the  district : — "  Tha  mi  'g 
admirig  most  anabarrach  am  beauty  aig  an  scenery  tha'nn  so."  "I 
am  admiring  most  excessively  the  beauty  of  this  scenery  here." 
The  use  of  English  words  and  even  English  forms  of  grammar — 
as  in  the  case  of  "  most  anabarrach"  above — is  very  prevalent,  and 
increases  gradually  as  we  descend  the  river  Spey.  As  a  con- 
sequence of  this  influx  of  new  words  and  new  syntactical  ideas, 
the  old  case  inflections  of  the  language  are  being  disregarded. 
Such  an  expression  as  "  ceann  na  cearc"  for  "  ceann  na  circe"  will 
not  strike  a  present  day  Badenoch  man  as  anything  but  the  most 
right  and  natural  thing  in  the  world.  But  it  was  not  always 
thus.  I  still  remember  that  my  old  paternal  grandmother — she 
used  to  tell  me  that  at  the  age  of  four  or  so  the  hearse  of  the 
famous  James  Macpherson,  of  Ossianic  fame,  nearly  ran  her  over — 
I  remember  that  she  used  regularly  to  say  na  litinn,  "of  the 
porridge,"  a  genitive  inflection  so  striking  as  to  attract  my  youth- 
ful fancy,  and  make  me  extend,  out  of  sheer  curiosity  and  fun, 


80  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

its  application  to  other  words.  This  genitive  may  be  looked  for 
in  vain  in  any  of  our  Gaelic  dictionaries,  but  yet  we  know  from 
early  Irish  sources  that  the  genitive  was  in  n  in  the  case  of  this 
word.  Poets  like  Calum  Dubh  nam  Protaigean,  Duncan  Gow, 
and  Bean  Torra-dhamh,  who  nourished  in  the  opening  years  of 
this  century,  composed  in  the  best  of  Gaelic.  Fear  Strathmhaisidh, 
Macpherson's  friend  and  contemporary,  finds  an  honourable  place 
among  the  minor  Highland  bards,  and  his  Gaelic  is  as  classic  as 
any  of  his  time.  And  what  are  we  to  say  of  "  translator"  Mac- 
pherson  himself  ?  If  his  Gaelic  was  not  good,  as  some  of  his  con- 
temporaries asserted,  then  we  must  not  think  that  it  was  the 
fault  of  his  native  dialect  of  Badencch,  but  rather  that  it  was 
owing  to  his  classical  and  general  university  training.  But  is  the 
charge  true?  It  is  allowed  that  the  poems  of  Ossian,  being 
ancient,  must  be  good  Gaelic.  Macj&erson's  Ossianic  poetry  is 
said  by  critics  to  be  good  Gaelic ;  its  faults  are  owing  to  its 
antiquity,  as  Dr  Clark  practically  said,  that  is,  its  inversions, 
curtness,  use  of  nouns  for  adjectives,  and  disregard  of  inflections. 
Now,  the  belief  among  Celtic  scholars  is  that  Macpherson  himself 
wrote  these  poems,  both  Gaelic  and  English,  and  I  claim  that  all 
that  is  good  in  the  Gaelic  belongs  to  Macpherson's  native  store  of 
Badenoch  Gaelic  found  in  tale  and  ballad,  while  its  faults  are  all 
due  to  the  influence  of  English  and  classical  literature,  in  which 
Macpherson  was  well  versed,  and  in  the  atmosphere  of  which  he 
wrote  his  Gaelic  foi  the  poems. 

Badenoch  Gaelic  cannot  claim  a  higher  antiquity  than  these 
two  Macphersons  of  last  century.  We  »my,  however,  at  once  say 
that  there  is  no  specimen  of  any  literature  in  the  modern  dialect 
of  Badenoch.  When  a  Badenoch  man  within  the  last  generation 
or  two  got  on  his  high  poetic  Pegasus,  he  used  what  he  understood 
to  be  the  general  literary  dialect  of  the  Highlands  as  he  found  it 
in  books  or  heard  it  in  songs.  It  is  this  divorce  between  the 
literary  dialect  and  the  local  dialect  that  keeps  the  language  from 
being  more  written  than  it  is.  And  there  is  also  the  added 
difficulty  of  the  orthography.  In  many  parts,  however,  the  local 
dialect  is  as  good  as,  if  not  better  than,  the  literary  dialect,  which 
largely  imbibed  Irish  methods  and  idioms.  Besides,  the  Northern 
dialect  of  Gaelic  has  had  little  or  no  say  in  the  establishment  of 
this  literary  standard,  and  us  a  consequence  "  Argyleshire"  idioms, 
syntax,  and  inflections,  with  their  Hibernianisms,  form  the  model 
to  which  the  North  must  conform.  There  is  certainly  a  hardship 
in  the  case,  but  it  is  now  impossible  to  remedy  matters. 

Badenoch  belongs  to  the  Northern  dialect  of  Gaelic.  This 
Northern,  in  contradistinction  to  the  Southern  dialect,  which  is 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  81 

the  dialect  south  of  the  Grampians  and  of  the  Lochaber  district 
along  by  the  Firth  of  Lome,  is  distinguished  chiefly  by  changing 
€u  in  certain  cases  to  ia.  The  Southern  dialect  has,  say,  beul  ; 
the  Northern  dialect  has  bial.  The  distinction  is  confined  to  a 
few  nouns,  whose  e  vowel  is  made  long  by  the  compensation  due 
to  the  loss  of  the  following  consonant,  generally  n,  provided  that 
the  original  stems  of  these  nouns  ended  in  o  or  «,  that  is,  belonged 
to  the  o  or  a  declension,  corresponding  to  the  Latin  first  and 
second  declensions.  Thus  breug,  briag  (a  lie),  stands  for  the 
original  brenca.  One  or  two  verbs  follow  this  rule  by  analogy, 
and  also  the  adjective  geur,  giar.  Other  nouns  or  adjectives  in  eu 
retain  that  sound  in  both  dialects  unchanged  and  exactly  the 
same  in  timbre.  A  further  difference  in  the  two  dialects  exists  in 
the  case  of  the  diphthong  <io,  which  has  a  freer  sound  in  the 
Southern  dialect;  the  Argyleshire  saor  is  pronounced  like  the 
French  soeur,  whereas  in  the  Northern  dialect  the  sound  becomes 
"that  of  a  "  modified"  long  u.  It  in  fact  becomes  more  Brittonic 
a,nd  Pictish.  Here  again,  however,  the  Southern  sound  of  ao  may 
appear  also  in  the  Northern  dialect.  The  word  aobhar  has  the  ao 
sound  exactly  the  same  as  in  the  Northern  dialect.  The  reason 
for  these  anomalies  lies  in  the  history  of  the  words.  Where  the 
ao  stands  for  an  original  diphthong,  the  two  dialects  differ, 
whereas  in  aobhar,  aoradh,  and  others  it  stands  for  a  vowel  and  a 
lost  consonant  (aobhar  being  for  adhbkar),  and  has  the  Southern 
sound  in  the  Northern  dialects,  the  ao  corresponding  to  eu  being 
excepted. 

Neither  the  Northern  nor  the  Southern  dialect  is  homogeneous. 
Sub-dialects  exist  in  every  considerable  district — we  might  almost 
say  in  every  parish.  The  dialect  of  Northern  Sutherland  is  very 
different  from  the  Badenoch  dialect,  and,  of  course,  the  nearer 
dialects  are  more  like  each  other  than  any  of  them  is  to  dialects 
more  remote.  The  Badenoch  and  Strathdearn  Gaelics  are  very 
like  one  another.  Again,  curiously  enough,  there  is  a  considerable 
divergence  between  the  Badenoch  and  Strathspey  Gaelic.  The 
timbre,  or  tone,  of  the  vowels  is  especially  different  in  the  two 
districts  :  to  put  it  in  common  language,  the  "  twang "  is 
•different.  The  Strathspey  people  have  a  simple  vocalic  sound 
before  the  liquids  where  in  Badenoch  a  secondary  sound  may  be 
heard.  Thus,  in  Strathspey  the  a  of  earn  is  simply  the  Gaelic  a 
long,  but  in  Badenoch  the  passage  from  the  a  to  the  r  is  bridged 
by  a  u  sound  ;  as  a  consequence,  the  sound  might  be  represented 
by  an  English  cawrn,  or  a  phonetic  cawrn.  On  the  other  hand, 
ithe  famous  Strathspey  sound  of  mathair  (mother),  which  is  like 

6 


82  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  French  equivalent  word,  has  one  or  two  parallels  in  Badenochr 
as'we  shall  see,  though  this  particular  word  is  not  one  of  them. 
The  Strathspey  glinn  (pretty)  is  not  quite  unique  in  the  High- 
lands, being  sometimes  heard  in  Strathnairn  and  Easter  Hoss.  It- 
is  a  confused  descendant  of  early  Irish  glinn  (bright)  and  grinn 
(pretty),  both  from  different  roots. 

The  Badenoch  dialect  itself  presents,  to  one  well  acquainted  in 
the  district,  striking  variations.  The  Laggan  Gaelic  is  better  than 
that  of  Lower  Badenoch,  but  it  is  the  different  tone  or  "  twang"" 
that  marks  the  various  parishes  or  districts  that  constitutes  the 
most  of  the  difference  in  the  local  dialect  as  spoken  in  certain 
places.  Newtonmore  differs  from  the  Kingussie  and  Insh  villages, 
and  Alvie  parish  has  its  peculiarity  of  intonation  as  compared  with 
Insh.  When  one  passes  into  Rothiemurchus,  just  over  the  con- 
fines of  Badenoch,  he  finds  himself  a1f  once  and  abruptly  in  the- 
midst  of  a  new  dialect  of  Gaelic  :  the  Strathspey  "twang"  and  the 
Strathspey  peculiarities  are  almost  in  full  swing. 

In  discussing  the  various  peculiarities  of  Badenoch  Gaelic,  I 
will  follow  the  order  of  the  grammar,  beginning  with  phonetics, 
passing  on  to  declension  and  conjugation,  and,  with  a  glance 
at  the  syntax  and  idioms  that  are  characteristic  of  the  district, 
ending  with  some  remarks  on  its  vocabulary. 

I.  PHONETICS. 

Modern  philologists  begin  with  the  vowels,  and  we  may,  in  so 
vocalic  a  language  as  Gaelic,  properly  imitate  their  example. 
There  are  the  "broad"  vowels  a,  o,  u,  and  the  "small"  vowels 
e  and  i  ;  and  there  are  the  long  vowels  corresponding  to  these 
(a,  i,  u,  e,  6,  with  e,  6,  which  are  different  in  quality).  There  are 
four  unaccented  diphthongs  :  ao,  eu,  ia,  and  ua  ;  but  the  first  two 
are  really  single  long  sounds.  Other  diphthongs  exist,  all  modifi- 
cations of  the  root  vowel  by  the  "broad"  or  "  small"  sound  in  the 
adjoining  syllables.  These  "  improper"  diphthongs  will  be  dis- 
cussed along  with  the  vowel  from  which  they  are  developed. 

(1)  a  short. 

The  vowel  a  in  Gaelic  stands  either  for  an  original  a  or  for  o  ; 
the  latter  is  the  case  in  feminine  nouns,  whose  stems  ended  in  a, 
and  this  a  influenced  the  root  vowel  o.  The  word  cas  (foot),  gen., 
coise,  stands  for  an  old  Celtic  coxa,  the  a  of  which  has  gone  back 
into  the  previous  syllable.  The  genitive  having  no  a  ending 
retains  the  original  vowel.  Now  in  certain  cases  in  Badenoch, 
and  indeed  all  over  the  country,  the  opposite  has  taken  place :  the 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  83 

a  has  given  way  to  o.  Two  elements  seem  needed  to  bring  about 
this  result :  the  word  must  contain  I  or  r,  and  it  should  have  i  in 
the  following  syllable.  Thus  coileach  (cock)  is  in  Old  Irish 
caileach,  for  an  original  cal-iacos.  The  i  and  the  I  or  r  influence 
the  a  of  the  preceding  syllable.  We  find  the  principle  somewhat 
extended  in  words  like  gobhar  (goat)  for  gabhar  and  gobhal  (fork) 
for  gabhal,  the  i  influence  coming  from  the  oblique  cases,  such  as 
the  genitive  gabhail,  that  is,  goz^'il.  Badenoch  Gaelic  extends  this 
change  considerably.  The  infinitive  gabhail  (taking)  becomes 
go'il,  and  hence  the  verb  stem  altogether  presents  gobh  or  go' 
for  gabh.  Similar  changes  appear  in  mollachd  for  mallachd, 
Coillinn  for  Calluinn,  and  sobhal  (sow-'l)  for  sabhal.  The  prin- 
ciple is  carried  beyond  words  with  I  or  r  in  them  in  some  cases  : 
finch'  for  faiche,  toigh  for  taigh,  coibe  for  caibe,  stoid  for  staid, 
and  s^idh'  for  saidhe  (hay). 

The  Badenoch  imperative  reach  (go)  for  rach  is  interesting, 
because  the  ancient  root  vowel  was  an  e  (the  root  being  rcg,  to 
stretch,  go).  It  would  be  too  much  to  fancy  that  Badenoch  all 
these  centuries  cherished  the  consciousness  of  this  e  root. 

Simple  a  becomes  ai  from  the  influence  of  i  in  the  next 
syllable.  Scotch  Gaelic  sometimes  presents  before  liquids  (I 
especially)  in  such  cases  an  ei.  Thus  eile  (other)  is  for  older  aile, 
all  from  Celtic  alios,  which  is  cognate  with  Latin  alius.  Badenoch 
Gaelic  extends  this  principle  considerably  :  thus  ainm  (name)  is 
pronounced  einim ;  the  negative  prefix  ain-  is  always  ein- ;  and 
the  ai  is  similarly  changed  in  the  following  words  : — bainis,  cainb 
(ceinib),  gainmheach  (gein'each),  rainech  (freineach),  sain  is,  and 
aithne  (ei'ne). 

(2)  a  long. 

Samhach  is  so'ach,  with  a  slight  nasalisation  of  the  o.  The 
most  characteristic  change,  however,  is  with  one  or  two  words 
showing  liquids  and  an  i :  thus  braigh  (upper  part)  becomes  bre', 
grain  is  grein,  thairiig  is  theinig,  and  raith  is  re'.  To  this  add  the 
Strathspey  me'r  for  mathair. 

A  remarkable  shortening  of  the  a  takes  place  in  the  plural  of 
certain  nouns.  Lamh  is  in  the  plural  lamhan  (lauan)  and  cnaimh- 
(pronounced  cra'i)  is  cre'an ;  but  then  ramh  shows  ramhan 
(rawan). 

(3)  o  short. 

As  already  noted,  Scotch  Gaelic  shows  a  in  feminine  mono- 
syllables from  old  a  stems  with  a  root  vowel  o.  This  analogy  is 
extended  to  polysyllabic  words  that  present  broad  or  dull  sounds 


64  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

in  the  succeeding  syllable.  Gaelic  facal  is  for  focal,  cadal  for 
codal,  and  so  with  acrach,  balg,  cal'man,  &c.  Badenoch  follows 
the  rest  of  the  country  here,  but  makes  up  for  it  by  reversing  the 
process  in  a  few  cases  presenting  liquids  and  an  i  :  thus  loinid 
becomes  lainid  or  lanaid,  roimh  is  re',  troimh  is  tre",  roghainn  is 
rao'inn  (with  ao  short),  and,  also,  soitheach  is  sao'ach  (ao  short). 

In  a  few  cases  o  becomes  u,  which  curiously  •  enough  was  in 
some  cases  the  original  Celtic  root  vowel :  thus — mosach  becomes 
musach,  iomradh  is  lurmadh,  lore  is  lure,  tolg  is  tulg,  and  molach 
is  mulach. 

We  may  pass  over  long  o  with  the  remark  that  c!6imh  becomes 
clai',  and  mo  is  muth'. 

The  vowels  a  and  o  in  syllables  that  have  liquids,  and 
especially  a  double  liquid,  or  liquid  and  another  consonant,  after 
them,  develop  a  parasitic  u  or  iv  souner*  in  passing  to  the  liquid. 
Thus  lorn  becomes  lo"m,  trom  is  troum,  cam  is  caum,  am  is  aum. 
Similarly,  earn  is  caurn  ;  and  so  with  ard,  allt,  poll,  toll,  call,  £c. 
This  is,  however,  not  a  peculiarity  confined  to  Badenoch  by  any 
means. 

(4)  e  short,  that  is  ea,  ei. 

Gaelic  rarely  has  simple  e  in  a  syllable,  as  in  leth.  It  is  so 
much  coloured  by  the  a  or  i  of  the  next  syllable,  existent  or  once 
existent,  that  ea  or  ei  is  felt  to  express  it  best. 

First,  there  is  a  strong  tendency  over  the  North  to  pronounce 
ea  as  ya,  a  tendency  strongly  marked  in  the  districts  round 
Inverness.  Thus,  each  becomes  yach,  steach  is  styach,  &c.  In 
Badenoch  this  decadence  is  confined  to  certain  closed  syllables 
like  dearg  (dyarg),  fearg  (fyarg),  cearc,  seann,  searrach,  sealbh, 
searg,  teann ;  also  in  ceann,  geal,  leanabh,  seal,  &c.  Certain 
combinations  defy  even  the  Inverness  dialect :  seas,  seasg,  &c., 
are  unchanged.  We  must  particularly  note  the  Badenoch  pro- 
nunciation of  the  following  shewing  an  r  :  rannag  is  for  reannag, 
reamhar  is  rau-ar,  greann  is  grann,  and,  especially,  creag  is  craig. 
Compare  reachd,  breac,  and  creach — which  are  normal. 

The  ea  may  become  eo,  as  in  geall,  which  Badenoch  pronounces 
geoull ;  so  greallag,  seall,  steall,  to  which  add  seo'ag  for  seabhag. 

An  ea  or  e  often  becomes  io  in  Gaelic ;  but  in  Badenoch  the 
following  also  unwarrantably  shew  the  change  :  gean  becomes 
giori,  meas  is  mios,  measan  is  miosan,  meadhon  is  mi'aii,  sgeap  is 
sgip,  and  beathach  is  bi'och.  The  word  grois  for  greis  shews  ei 
&s  oi. 

Long  e,  or  rather  ei,  shews  an  opener  sound  in  the  following 
cases  :  reidh,  reit  appear  as  re'  an  re*t.  But  gle  becomes  gley. 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  85 

(5)  ». 

Badenoch  sometimes  broadens  the  i  sound  in  words  containing 
liquids :  milis  is  meilis,  righinn  is  riii'imi,  rinn  is  roinii  (I  did), 
rinn  is  ruinn  (point).  Sometimes  io  of  ordinary  Gaelic  is  restored 
into  (or  kept  in  1)  older  root  forms  in  e  (ea).  Thus,  smior  appears 
as  smear,  and  niionach  as  meanach.  We  must  specially  note  toigh 
for  tigh  or  taigh,  and  also  nuis  for  nis  (now),  Old  Irish,  inossa 
( =  in-fois). 

(6)  ao. 

As  already  noted,  the  Northern  dialect  narrows  this  sound 
when  it  stands  for  the  original  diphthongs  ae,  ai,  or  oi,  but  when  it 
stands  for  a  with  a  lost  aspirated  d  or  g,  the  Southern  sound  is 
heard.  This  sound  we  have  in  aobhar  (adbar),  aoradh  (adrad), 
faolum  (foglum),  faob  (fodb),  saoibhir  (saidbir),  saobhaidh  (saob), 
&c.  To  these  add  tao'ail  for  tadhai],  bao'ar  for  baothair,  which 
are  short  ao  forms. 

The  following  are  to  be  remarked  upon  :  baobh  is  baou'  (ao 
short).  The  word  caoimhneas  is  unknown  ;  it  is  coibhneas,  pro- 
nounced coi'neas,  which  is  derived  from  fine,  clan,  with  the  prefix 
co.  The  word  aoibhneas  also  retains  its  older  sound.  Adharc 
(horn)  is  pronounced  ao-rag  (ao  short),  while  laghach  and  lagha 
show  a  similar  short  ao  sound.  The  ao  of  aon  (one)  becomes  a 
short  u  ;  before  consonants  the  word  is  degraded  into  ann.  The 
word  raoir  (last  night,  from  re-tr-i  originally),  is  pronounced  some- 
what as  roy'r. 

(7)  ua. 

In  Badenoch  the  latter  sound  of  this  diphthong  is  o,  not  a, 
Thus  we  hear  tu°gh,  not  tuagh.  So  bhuom,  not  bhuam.  The 
word  nuadh  appears  in  its  shorter  root  form  nodha,  pronounced 
in  Badenoch  no'. 

(8)  eu  and  ia. 

In  the  interchange  of  these  sounds,  Badenoch  follows  the 
Northern  dialect :  beul  is  bial,  breug  is  briag,  deur  is  diar,  and  so 
on,  to  some  three  dozen  cases.  One  or  two  local  peculiarities  must 
be  noted.  The  word  beurla,  now  meaning  English,  though 
originally  meaning  language,  stands  for  the  Old  Irish  belre,  a 
derivative  of  bel  (mouth).  In  Badenoch  its  pronunciation  is 
birrl'.  For  leugh  or  liagh  (read),  we  have  leogh,  or  rather,  lyo .: 
siad  or  seud  (a  hero,  jewel)  becomes  se6d. 


£6  Gaelic  Society  of  /nuerness. 

(9)  Consonants. 

The  mutes  and  sibilants  in  the  Badenoch  dialect  are  treated 
exactly  as  in  the  rest  of  the  country.  It  is  in  the  case  of  the 
liquids,  combining  among  themselves  or  with  the  other  consonants, 
that  peculiarities  creep  in.  hi  most  of  the  Gaelic  dialects  r  and  / 
before  b,  g,  bh,  and  m,  present  an  intermediate  obscure  vowel ; 
thus,  dearg  is  pronounced  dearag,  dealbh  as  dealav  (in  Badenoch 
it  is  dealu').  The  combination  m,  especially  rnn,  shows  a  slight 
trace  of  the  same  intermediate  sound  :  oirnn  is  oVnn.  The  con- 
sonants r  and  /  were  supposed  by  the  older  generation  of 
philologists  to  interchange  indiscriminately,  so  that  roots  in  I  or  /• 
in  similar  positions  were  supposed  to  be  the  same.  Though  there 
is  some  truth  in  this,  yet  it  has  come  to  be  seen  that  the  inter- 
change in  modern  times  takes  place  only  for  the  sake  of  dissimi- 
lation :  thus,  popularis  is  easier  than  pvpulaiis,  the  form  which  we 
should  expect ;  pilgrim  is  the  modern  form  of  the  Latin  peregrinus. 
In  Badenoch  Gaelic  we  have  bruadal  for  bruadar  and  cui'lig  for 
cuibhrig  (cover).  As  in  the  other  dialects,  sr  initial  becomes  sir  ; 
sruth  becomes  struth. 

The  letter  n  receives  peculiar  treatment.  Of  course  en  and  gn, 
as  elsewhere,  are  now  pronounced  cr  and  gr.  The  combination  ng, 
non-initial,  is  dealt  with  in  three  or  four  ways.  In  the  words 
tarruing,  ung,  spuing  (for  spong),  the  ny  has  its  proper  sound. 
But  in  fulang  and  tarrang,  the  n  entirely  disappears,  and  we  have 
fuilig  and  taireag ;  while  again  in  cumhang  (narrow)  the  n  does 
not  go,  but  the  sound  is  c,  cumhanc,  or  rather  cu'anc.  The  vast 
majority  of  words  containing  ng,  however,  practically  dispense 
with  the  combination,  or  substitute  for  it  a  u  sound.  Thus,  long 
(ship)  is  pronounced  lo'u,  which  is  much  the  same  sound  as  the  ou 
in  English  found.  Sometimes  a  nasalisation  of  the  resultant  vowel 
is  all  that  takes  place,  as  in  seang,  sreang,  and,  to  a  little  extent, 
in  muing  (that  is  mui').  The  word  daingen  is  practically  dai'en  ; 
while  in  lang^n,  meanglan,  and  teangaidh  the  ng  becomes 
distinctly  a  y  sound  with  nasalisation  of  the  previous  vowel. 

An  interesting  case  of  dissimilation  of  the  n  takes  place  in 
eanchaill  (brain)  for  eanchainn.  As  in  the  other  dialects  simple  n 
terminal  often  gets  duplicated  ;  this  is  particularly  the  case  with 
prefix  words,  especially  before  t,  d,  and  s.  We  have  bann — for 
ban — (female)  regularly  ;  but  so  also  we  have  seann,  as  in  seann 
duine,  whereas  the  adjective  really  is  sean,  and  is  properly 
pronounced  only  when  it  comes  after  the  noun.  The  word  aon 
(one)  is  in  Badenoch  pronounced  aim  vvhen  it  precedes  a  word  ;  but 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  87 

•when  it  is  independent  it  is  pronounced  un.     We  must  further 
-note  leathainn  for  leathan  and  ciadainn  for  ceudna. 

The  n  or  nn  before  s  disappears,  and  the  vowel  of  the  syllable 
is  nasalised.  Thus  we  have  6iseach  for  oinseach,  ba'is  for  bainnse 
(from  banais),  pui'sean  for  puinnsean,  Loch-is  for  Loch-innis 
{Loch  Insh),  ui'sinn  for  uinnsean.  A  somewhat  similar  result 
takes  place  with  n  before  r.  Thus  we  have  ca'ran  for  canran, 
ma'ran  for  manran,  the  d  being  nasalised.  For  anart  (linen)  we 
.get  a'ard. 

(10)  Aspiration. 

As  is  well  known,  the  mutes,  with  m,f,  and  .s,  are  "  aspirated"  in 
'Gaelic  if  they  stand  alone  between  vowels.  Of  the  hard  mutes 
c  and  p  become  ck  and  ph  and  remain ;  but  t  in  becoming  tli 
becomes  merely  a  breathing,  sometimes,  to  use  expressions  applic- 
able to  the  Greek,  an  open  breathing,  as  in  the  middle  of  words, 
sometimes  an  aspirate,  as  at  the  beginning  of  words  (brathair 
being  bra'ir,  while  tha  is  ha).  All  the  dialects  pronounce  the  th 
in  gu  brath  as  gu  brach,  a  form  which  appears  in  17th  century 
Gaelic.  In  a  word  like  saothar  (labour),  the  th  goes  and  the  word 
contracts  into  saor,  just  as  gh  goes  in  saoghal  and  bh  in  faobhar, 
which  are  pronounced  in  Badenoch  like  simple  saol  and  faor,  with 
;the  close  northern  sound  of  ao.  In  fact  the  medial  aspirates  are 
apt  to  disappear :  Slighe  is  sli'  and  tigh  or  taigh  is  toi'.  But  bh 
is  more  stubborn  than  gh  or  dh.  Thus  abhainn  is  awainn  or 
rather  aw-inn.  Some  dialects  delight  in  pronouncing  terminal 
adh  as  ag  ;  bualadh  as  bualag.  Badenoch  does  nothing  of  that ; 
it  simply  drops  the  dh  altogether.  After  r  and  I,  bh  becomes  u 
and  the  previous  vowel  has  a  more  deliberate  sound  ;  thus  garbh 
becomes  ga'ru,  halbh  is  ba'lu,  &c.  The  word  craobh  is  very 
peculiar ;  its  aobh  is  sounded  as  in  laogh,  which  is  one  of  the  most 
•difficult  of  Gaelic  words  to  pronounce  for  outsiders. 

The  sound  of  mh  is  v,  but  in  Badenoch  it  becomes,  in  the  body 
or  end  of  a  word,  either  w  or  u  or  almost  nothing.  Thus  lamh 
becomes  lai',  and  lamhari  becomes  lawan.  Samhradh,  samhuinn 
are  sauradh  and  sau'inn ;  reamhar  is  ra-w-ar  or  rau'ar  ;  damh  is 
dau  •  deanamh  becomes  simply  cleanu  ;  in  talmhainn  the  mh  goes 
away  almost  entirely,  and  in  samhach  the  medial  sounds  are  crushed 
into  a  nasalised  6,  that  is,  so'ch  :  seimh  becomes  a  nasalised  sei, 
but  naomh  retains  its  mh  or  v  sound,  because  it  is  a  literary  word. 

(ll)Eclipsis. 

Eclipsis  is  caused  by  the  influence  of  terminal  n,  which,  when 
.the  language,  several  hundred  years  ago,  was  a  highly  inflected  one, 


88  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

ended,  as  in  Greek,  many  grammatical  forms.  Irish  has  an 
elaborate  system  of  initial  changes  caused  by  this  w,  but  Scottish 
Gaelic  never  got  further  than  the  Old  Irish  stage  in  respect  to  this 
matter,  and  eventually  it  lost  the  influence  of  n  with  the  loss  of 
inflections  and  the  consequent  levelling  up  of  forms  and  sounds. 
In  some  parts  we  hear  a'  so,  a'  fear,  for  an  so,  am  fear ;  and  doubt- 
less these  dialectic  forms  are  the  oldest.  Badenoch  does  not  know 
this  dropping  of  the  n  before  s,  /,  r,  and  / ;  but  it  has  its  own 
peculiar  way  of  dealing  with  n  before/.  In  the  first  place  n  before 
/  must  become  w,  according  to  Gaelic  phonetic  laws ;  but  in 
Badenoch  this  m  causes  the  /to  be  provected  into  a  p.  Hence 
am  feur  becomes  am  piar,  am  fraoch  becomes  am  praoch,  and  so 
on.  This  is  the  greatest  peculiarity  of  Badenoch  Gaelic,  which  it 
shares  with  Strathdearn  as  well. 

The  article  an,  with  its  n,  undoubtedly  affects  some  initial 
consonants.  The  most  definite  case  is  that  of  c  •  an  cu  (the  dog) 
is  pronounced  as  an  gu  or  an  gcu,  a  sound  which  is  sharper  than 
the  ordinary  g,  but  softer  than  c. 

(12)  Prothesis. 

Prothetic  letters,  such  as  the  s  of  sleac  (flag)  for  leac,  arise 
from  the  influence  of  the  previous  word  ending.  Doubtless  s  is. 
a  reminiscence  of  the  old  nominative  terminations.  Prothetic  / 
however,  would  appear  to  be  due  to  analogy  :  words  without  initial 
/,  in  certain  circumstances,  take  the  /  to  look  and  sound  like  real 
/"-beginning  words.  The  system  of  aspiration  makes  this  easy  and 
natural.  It  is  similar  with  t. 

In  Badenoch  we  have  both  sleac  and  leac,  but,  again,  we  never 
hear  sneip  (a  turnip),  only  neip  being  used.  Prothetic  /  is  com- 
mon :  raineach  becomes  freineach,  eagal  is  feagal,  aithne  is  faithn', 
imiridh  is  firmidh,  faltan-fionn  (tendon)  is  a  derivative  of  alt 
(joint) ;  and  fos  is  used  regularly  for  os  (above).  The  word 
aithne  after  particles  ending  in  m  has  an  unstable /which  appears 
as  b  :  thus — feithni'idh  mi  (I  will  recognise)  shews  after  am  the 
form  Am  b'eithnich.  The  d  of  deanntag  and  deigh  is  found 
elsewhere  than  in  Badeuoch  ;  and  the  bat  is  known  as  dealtag- 
anmoch,  for  ialtag. 

(13)  Metathesis 

This  is  the  transposition  of  a  letter,  chiefly  /,  r,  and  s.  Thus — 
imiridh  becomes  irimidh,  imrich  is  irimich,  lomradh  is  lurmadh, 
barail  is  balair,  coinneal  is  coillinn ;  in  Laggan  they  say  ealabar 
for  earball ;  imleag  becomes  ilimeag,  imlich  is  ilimich,  uaisle 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  89- 

becomes  uailse,  fartlaich  is  faltraich,  farraid  is  fa'aird.  The  n  of 
seangan  (ant)  is  shifted,  and  the  word  becomes  snioghan ;  the 
Manx,  however,  is  snieggan  or  sniengan,  and  both  dialects  seem 
supported  by  the  Greek 


II.  DECLENSION. 

Badenoch,  as  already  notedj  shews  a  sad  falling  off  in  the 
matter  of  declension,  the  nominative  case  doing  duty  for  the 
genitive,  or  the  dative  for  the  nominative. 

(1)  The  Article. 

A  curious  case  of  the  loss  of  n  of  the  article  occurs  in  athair- 
nei',  the  Badenoch  word  for  serpent.  The  first  part  is  properly 
nathair ;  the  latter,  neimhe,  poison.  The  n  of  nathair  is  lost 
because  the  article  ends  in  n  ;  the  combination  is  An  nathair. 
Curiously  the  same  thing  happens  with  the  same  word  in  English ; 
adder  is  for  nadder.  Similarly  ollaig  stands  for  nollaig  (Christmas). 
On  the  other  hand  nighean  conies  from  An  inghean  (daughter). 

(2)  The  Noun. 

The  tendency  to  use  the  nominative  singular  for  the  genitive 
is  very  strong.  Young  people  at  once  say  "  Ceanii  na  cearc,"  for 
circe.  Again  in  feminine  nouns  the  oblique  genitive  or  dative  is 
often  used  as  the  nominative  ;  thus  lamh  is  laimh  (pronounced 
lai',  nasally).  The  dative  case,  of  course,  is  otherwise  disregarded. 
In  regard  to  irregular  nouns  a  levelling  up  takes  place.  The  word 
fcean  has  its  genitive  as  bean,  not  mnatha  ;  but  the  plural  is 
mnathan.  The  nouns  of  the  i  declusion,  like  fuil,  suil,  &c.,  have- 
no  genitive  either.  The  plurals  are  regularly  enough  done ;  the 
vocative  plural  of  o  stems  is  rightly  pronounced  in  u,  though 
written  a  :  fheara  is  pronounced  fhearu.  It  is  an  old  nominative 
in  os.  So  beulaobh,  the  dative  plural  of  beul,  with  the  adverbial 
force  of  "  before,"  is  properly  pronounced  bialu,  for  in  older  times 
there  were  two  cases  used,  the  dative  for  rest  and  the  accusative 
for  motion — belaib,  belu.  It  is  the  latter  case  evidently  that  pre- 
vails in  pronunciation. 

In  the  following  instances  the  obligue  cases  are  used  for  the 
nominative.  Masculine  nouns :  aitidh  for  aiteamh,  claiginn  for 
claigionn,  so  too  gobhainn,  salainn,  siabuinn.  This  may  go  along 
with  a  change  from  masculine  to  feminine,  as  in — fearainn  for 
fearann,  deididh,  aitribh,  suird,  spuing,  tiodhlaic.  Feminine  nouns 
show  this  change  largely  :  omhaich  for  amhach,  so  aodainn,  beinis 
and  bainuse,  beinn,  bois,  broiuu,  bruaich  cabhaig,  cluais,  craig% 


'90  Gaelic  Society  of  /nuerness. 

•cruaich,  gaig,  glaic,  gualainu,  laimh,  loinn  (a  glade)  from  lanu, 
searmaid,  sliaisd  (for  sliasad),  teangaidh,  and  uilinn.  In  adjectivas, 
too.  oblique  forms  are  found  in  leathainn  for  leathan,  in  anfhainn. 
•mairinn,  ollaimh  for  nllamh,  and  leisg  for  leasg. 

(3)  Gender. 

The  loss  of  the  neuter  gender  in  modern  Gaelic  has  caused 
neuter  nouns  to  fall  cither  under  the  head  of  masculine  or  feminine, 
and  the  different  dialects  deal  with  them  variously,  one  making 
a  noun  masculine  and  another  making  it  feminine.  The  word 
•muir  (sea)  was  originally  neuter  ;  the  dictionaries  mark  it  as  both 
masculine  and  feminine.  In  most  dialects,  the  word  is  feminine  ; 
it  is  so  in  Badenoch.  In  Lewis  matters  have  gone  so  peculiarly 
that  the  nominative  is  feminine  (a'  mhuir),  and  the  genitive 
is  masculine  (ccann  a'  mhara) !  In*  Badenoch  the  following 
originally  neuter  nouns  are  feminine  though  the  dictionaries  make 
them  masculine,  or  masculine  and  feminine  at  times — aitreabh, 
beum,  guidhe,  leum,  teum,  fearann,  fasach,  fios,  teas,  sgeul,  glun, 
magh,  muir,  tir,  the  latter  four  being  in  the  dictionaries  marked  as 
of  either  gender.  The  following  nouns  are  feminine  in  Badenoch, 
though  masculine  in  the  dictionary  :  beuc,  bid,  bruchd,  buachar, 
eobhar,  deudach,  dorchadas,  earr,  luchd,  faileas,  greann,  ladha-r, 
lag,  loingeas,  mios  (masculine  and  feminine),  naimhdeas,  nasg,  tend. 
The  following  words  are  masculine  in  Badenoch,  though  feminine 
in  the  authorities  :  bile,  ciall,  deo,  fainne,  gobhal,  leisg,  neart, 
meur.  Comhrag  and  ros,  over  which  the  dictionaries  differ,  were 
originally  neuter  and  are  masculine  in  Badenoch.  Naturally 
enough  borrowed  words  in  different  dialects  appear  of  opposite 
genders.  In  Badenoch  the  following  are  feminine,  while  the 
dictionaries  make  them  masculine,  fang,  lad,  lagh,  leabhar,  siola, 
sparr,  speur,  spot ;  while  the  following  are  masculine — boineid, 
muidse,  paisd,  peann  (pronounced  as  in  English),  pillean,  rocas  for 
rocais,  spors. 

(4)  Adjectives. 

Outside  the  aspirations  for  gender,  case  and  number,  the 
adjective  has  now  little  inflection  in  Badenoch.  In  fact,  an  expres- 
sion like  "  Ceann  na  cearc  bheag  "  (ceann  na  circe  bige)  is  now  the 
natural  expression  in  the  district.  We  may  say  case  inflection  is 
gone,  and  certainly  there  is  no  plural  inflection.  Even  the  com- 
parative suffers.  The  irregular  comparatives,  of  course,  hold  their 
ground,  but  we  may  hear  any  day  such  an  expression  as  :  "  Tha 
so  nas  geal  na  sin  "  (Tha  so  na  *s  gile  na  sin).  The  Irish  nios 
{thing  that  is)  is  replaced  properly  enongh  in  Scottish  Gaelic  by 
na's  (what  is),  and  Badenoch  recognises  no  other. 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  91 

There  is  little  to  remark  about  the  numerals,  save,  as  already 
-noted,  that  aon  becomes,  independently,  un ;  with  a  noun,  it  is 
ann,  with  n  duplicated.  In  h-aon-diag  (eleven)  it  has  its  proper 
form. 

(5)  Pronouns. 

As  in  other  places,  the  pronoun  of  the  second  person  singular 
is  restricted  in  its  application  to  juniors  or  inferiors,  while  sibh 
applies  to  seniors  and  superiors.  The  Badenoch  proverb  has  it  : 
"  Thusa,  ach  sibhse  dar  bhios  sibh  air  na  tigh  fhein  "  (Thou,  but 
you,  when  you  have  a  house  of  your  own).  The  third  plural  iad 
is  pronounced  aid.  Whereas  thu  fhein  agrees  with  the  grammar. 
Curious  addenda  are  made  to  the  demonstratives  so,  sin,  sid 
-(for  sud)  in  some  parts  of  Badenoch,  notably  Drumguish.  They 
take  the  form  of  in,  ich,  eachd ;  as,  An  so-in  (here),  or  more 
emphatic — An  so-in-ich.  With  the  first  form  (so-in)  we  may 
compare  the  Old  Irish  s6n  (illud).  We  have  also  An  sid-uaich 
(yonder)  and  An  sin-eachdainn  (there).  The  ich  also  appears  in 
certain  common  adverbs  :  fhathast-ich  (yet),  rithist-ich  (again). 

The  interrogative  ciod  (in  Old  Irish  cate,  literally,  what  is)  is 
not  heard,  save  in  the  bisected  form  of  Gu  de  (ciod  e)  or  more  often 
truncated  to  simply  de.  The  possessive  pronouns,  which  in 
Gaelic  are  really  genitives,  are  treated  in  the  ordinary  way  except 
in  the  case  of  our  and  your  (ar  n-,  bhur  n-).  The  first — ar  n — has 
practically  disappeared,  and  the  second  is  represented  by  na.  Thus, 
"  Am  beil  na  h-athair  stigh  "  (Is  your  father  in  ?),  where  na  h- 
should  be  at  least  'ur  n-.  The  first  person  possessive  plural  is  done 
by  a  circumlocution  ;  thus,  "  Our  work  "  becomes  "  An  obair 
againn  " — the  work  to  us !  And  this  is  extended  to  the  other 
persons,  both  singular  and  plural ;  so  "  My  book  "  may  be  rendered 
"  An  leabhar  agam,"  "  The  book  with  me." 

The  prepositional  pronouns,  which  are  crushed  forms  of  the 
preposition  and  pronoun,  get  still  more  crushed  in  Badenoch. 
Thus,  ag  with  the  pronouns  becomes  simply  a\  as  a'am  for  agam, 
a'inn  for  againn,  tkc.  The  preposition  ann  changes  to  um  ;  hence 
armam  (in  me)  is  umam,  annad  is  umad,  with  their  plurals  ;  but 
ann  (in  him)  and  innte  (in  her)  are  right,  and  annta  (in  them)  is 
only  changed  to  unnta.  Then  gu  (to)  appears  combined  in  the 
stereotyped  hugad  (to  you,  that  is,  get  out  of  the  way) ;  for 
thugam  the  form  is  gu  mi,  gun  'u  (thu),  gun  e.  The  preposition 
mu  (about)  does  not  combine  ;  o  or  bho  never  lacks  the  bh,  as 
'bhuam,  &c.;  (note  bhoith',  from  him).  The  prepositions  romh  and 


92  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

tromh  show  ro'am  and  tro'am  for  the  first  person  and  analogous, 
forms  for  the  second,  but  in  the  third  singular  masculine  the  forms 
are  tre'  and  re'.  In  the  forms  rompa  and  trompa,  the  m  is  elided, 
leaving  a  slight  effect  on  the  vowel — rop,  trop. 


III.  CONJUGATION. 

In  Badenoch  the  2nd  and  3rd  singular  and  3rd  plural  future 
take  the  relative  form  of  the  verb  before  the  pronouns  :  thus, 
buailidh  mi,  buaileas  tu,  buaileas  e  (or  i),  buaileas  iad  (aid) ;  but 
buaildh  sinn,  buailidh  sibh,  and  buailidh  bean  (cat,  duine,  each, 
£c.)  The  s  of  si  (she),  which  has  extended  to  the  masculine  and 
the  plural  at  times — se,  siad,  has  evidently  been  the  originating 
cause  of  this  dialectic  peculiarity  ;  just  as,  in  fact,  the  origin  of 
the  relative  form  itself  is  undoubtedly  from  the  pronomenal  root 
so  affixed  to  the  third  singular  of  the  verb.  Similarly  a  new  verb 
has  been  developed  in  the  form  ars'  (said),  the  real  verb  being  ar 
simply,  by  root  the  same  as  English  swear.  Curiously  enough  the 
2nd  plural  imperative  retains  the  old  form,  though  in  the  literary 
language  and  in  the  other  dialects  it  has  given  way  to  the  force  of 
analogy.  Thus,  in  the  grammars  we  have  eisdibh  (hear  ye),  the 
bh  of  which  is  taken  from  sibJi  ;  but  Badenoch  maintains  the 
original  eisdidh  or  eisdith,  just  as  the  Dean  of  Lismore  has  it  in 
1512 — eistith.  Irish  Old  and  New  agrees  with  Badenoch  here  ; 
so  does  philology,  for  the  form  is  the  same  as  the  Latin  -ite,  Greek 
ete,  and  English  -et/i  (the  "  harkneth  "  of  Chaucer). 

The  passive  voice  is  conspicuously  absent  in  Badenoch ;  the 
idea  of  it  is  always  expressed  by  a  periphrasis  :  "  He  was  killed  " 
becomes  "  His  killing  went " — chaidh  a  mharbhadh.  "  He  will  be 
struck  "  becomes  "  He  will  be  after  his  striking  "—  Bitheas  e  air 
a  bhualadh,  or  Theid  a  bhualadh— "  His  striking  will  go."  In 
regard  to  the  infinitive,  of  course,  in  Badenoch  the  form  in  -adh 
shows  no  genitive  in  i,  nor  should  it  do  so  philologically,  though 
that  is  according  to  present  grammar.  They  say  "  Air  son  a 
bhualadh,"  though  the  form  "  Muilinn  bualaidh  "  (threshing  mill) 
exists.  If  the  future  shows  a  small  vowel  at  the  end  of  the  stem, 
that  vowel  is  apt  to  be  kept  in  the  infinitive  ;  thus  we  find  aisig 
for  aiseag,  coirnhid  for  coimhead,  innis  for  innseadh,  &c.,  the  future 
stem  being  used  as  an  infinitive.  We  may  note  the  irregular 
forms  fuilig  (fulang,  suffering)  beside  fulachdainn,  and  geumadaich 
for  geumnaich.  Borrowed  infinitives  may  show  their  English 


The  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Badenoch.  93 

verbal  -ing  as  -ig ;  thus,  grudging  passes  into  gruidsig,  and  so  with 
several  others. 

In  regard  to  the  irregular  verbs,  the  verb  to  be  has  the 
interrogative  form  "  Am  beil  "  always.  No  forms  of  it  in  final  ar 
appear.  The  verb  abair  is  greatly  replaced  by  can  in  the 
imperative  and  future  tense.  Indeed,  the  infinitive  cantainn  is 
commoner  than  radh.  The  infinitive  of  beir  is  always  beirsinn  ; 
"  he  was  caught  "  becomes  "  chaidh  beirsinn  air."  The  past  of 
dean  is  rAoinn ;  the  imperative  of  faic  is  coimhid — in  fact,  this 
latter  form  supplants  faic  considerably  in  other  moods  and  tenses, 
only,  however,  in  the  sense  of  physically  looking  on,  gazing  at, 
seeing.  The  post-particle  form  of  chaidh  is  deach;  thoir  and 
toirt  are  the  Badenoch  forms  for  "  give  "  and  "  giving."  "  Is 
toigh  learn  " — I  like — bcomes  "  Is  dail  learn." 


IV.    MINOR  PARTS  OF  SPEECH. 

Under  this  heading  we  may  consider  the  Adverb,  Preposition, 
and  Conjunction.  As  in  many  places,  the  adverbs  suas  and  sios 
(up,  down)  mean  "  west "  and  "  east."  This  is  natural  in 
Badenoch,  because  the  River  Spey  flows  "  down  "  in  an  eastward 
direction.  The  proper  words — iar  and  ear — are  known  only  as 
literary  Gaelic  ;  "  north  "  and  "  south  "  are  correctly  rendered  by 
tuath  and  deas  (literally,  left  hand,  right  hand,  the  bearings  being 
taken  facing  the  rising  sun,  iar  meaning  "  behind "  and  ear 
"  before  ").  The  word  for  "  up  "  is  urad,  or  uthard  (air  and  ard, 
high) ;  the  word  for  "  down  "  is  uireas  (air-ios,  "on  down  ").  "  For- 
ward "  becomes  air  a'ad  for  air  adhart,  the  Middle  Irish  araird 
(forward),  which  is  another  compound  of  ard  (high).  The  word 
brath  in  gu  brath  is,  as  elsewhere,  pronounced  brach.  The  adverb 
for  "  now  "  is  nuis  and  not  nis ;  it  is  really  a  compound  of  fois 
(rest),  O.Ir.  innossa  ("  the  now,"  as  in  Scotch),  just  like  a  bhos,  on 
this  side. 

In  regard  to  the  prepositions,  some  peculiarities  occur.  Do  is 
always  da ;  far  (used  with  the  relative  only,  meaning  "  upon," 
the  old  for,  Latin,  s-uper)  is  for ;  bho  is  never  o ;  there  is  110  os, 
only  fos  ;  troimh  and  roimh  become  tre'  and  re',  &c.  The  syntax 
of  the  prepositions  used  after  verbs  of  motion  has  to  be  noted. 
Thus,  Chaidh  e  na  bhaile  means,  "  He  went  to  (into)  the  town  ; 
the  na  is  for  do'n.  But  "  Chaidh  e  da'n  ait "  is  used,  where  a 
vowel  commences  the  noun.  The  expression,  "  He  came  to  the 
town,"  is  done  by — Thairiig  e  gu  na  bhaile  ;  "  to  the  place  "  is 


94  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

"  gun  an  ait,"  a  construction  which  also  holds  before  dentals  and. 
/,  r,  n,  s.  The  preposition  gu  does  not  coalesce  with  the  pro- 
nouns now  ;  "  to  me  "  is  "  gu  mi,"  not  "  hugam." 

There  is  little  to  remark  about  the  conjunctions.  Of  course 
agus  is  pronounced  aghus,  as  it  has  been  for  the  last  two  centuries, 
though  written  with  the  hard  cj  The  wor  1  ged  (although) 
becomes  gad. 

V.    COMPOSITION  AND  DERIVATION. 

Compound  words  get  often  "  crushed "  beyond  recognition. 
Thus,  mcanachair  stands  for  meanbh-chrodh,  cais'ard  for  cais- 
bheart  (foot-gear),  cais'inn  for  cais-fhionn,  &c.  Coinnspeach 
becomes  causpech,  comhnard  is  co'rd,  with  a  nasal  6,  and  so  forth. 
Sometimes  an  additional  suffix,  inflexional  or  otherwise,  is  found. 
In  Drumguish  one  may  hear  "  Na  fuineaghadh "  for  "  Na 
fuineadh."  The  combination  "  B'  aillidh  ?"  (literally,  What  is  your 
pleasure)  is  used  for  "  Eh  T  "  What  T 


VI.    SYNTAX. 

The  decadence  of  inflections  in  the  case  of  nouns  has  been 
already  remarked  upon.  As  there  is  no  dative  case,  the  pre- 
positions may  be  said  to  govern  the  nominative  case.  The 
genitive  case  is  used  for  possession,  and  also  as  an  object  to  the 
infinitives  of  verbs,  as  in  the  general  dialect ;  but  any  apposition 
noun  that  would  naturally  be  in  the  genitive  is  boldly  regarded  as 
a  nominative. 

VII.    VOCABULARY. 

Finally,  let  us  consider  words  and  forms  more  or  less  peculiar 
to  Badenoch.  The  word  uisge,  as  in  all  the  south-eastern  High- 
lands, means  "rain,"  while  burn  is  the  usual  word  for  "water,"  itself 
a  word  borrowed  from  the  Lowland  Scotch.  The  word  for  "  boy  " 
is  proitseach.  Curiously,  dialects  differ  much  in  the  word  for 
"  boy :"  we  meet  with  ballach,  brogach,  ponach,  giullan,  and  gille 
in  diftetent  places  over  the  Highlands.  The  word  bard  means  a 
meadow  in  Badenoch,  though  the  real  meaning  of  the  word  is  an 
enclosure  or  dyke.  It  doubtless  acquired  its  peculiar  L.eaning 
in  Badenoch  because  of  the  embankments  which  confine  the  Spey 


fhe  Gaelic  Dialect  of  Baden och.  95 

as  it  flows  through  tbe  broad  valley  of  Mid-Badenoch.  The  word 
geilbhean  means  a  fawner,  and  sgobhachan  (pronounced  sgowachan) 
signifies  "pieces."  A  very  peculiar  word  is  ble'ch,  signifying 
"  pretty,"  doubtless  a  bye-form  of  blathach,  "blooming."  The  word 
for  "  alphabet "  is  aibirsidh,  or  rather  eabarsidh ;  this  arises  from 
the  old  system  of  letter  learning  which  began  by  saying  A  per  se 
(a  by  itself  is  a,  &c.) 

Some  prope~  names  of  persons  present  oddities  restricted  to 
the  locality.  Donchadh  is  Dunnach  ;  Domhuall  becomes  D6'ul, 
with  nasalised  6 ;  E6in  is  E'ainn ;  George  is  Seors' ;  James  is 
Semus ;  Ranald  is  Raol,  the  ao  having  its  southern  sound.  The 
name  Mary  is  pronounced  like  English  Miry  ;  Margaret  becomes 
Mearud  and  Meig  ;  and  Christina  is  Cirtean. 

Animal  names  shewing  peculiarities  are  these : — Mada- 
galluidh  (wolf)  for  mada-allaidh  ;  the  bat  is  dealtag-anmoch ;  the 
spider  is  breabair-smogach ;  the  toad  is  meal-mh  again,  for  mial- 
mhagain  ;  the  mole  is  ath-thaFainn  ;  the  serpent,  as  already  noted, 
is  athair-nei' ;  the  pee-weep  is  the  doireagan.  The  calls  to 
animals  are  interesting.  To  call  a  cow  to  one,  the  expression  is 
pruidh-dhe ;  the  Scotch  word  is  prush.  To  call  a  horse  the  word 
is  progaidh,  which  is,  undoubtedly,  the  French  approchez,  borrowed 
through  the  Scotch.  For  the  cat  there  are.  two  calls — stididh  and 
puisidh.  For  a  pig  they  say  "  boitidh  ;"  for  hens,  "  diugaidh  ;" 
for  sheep,  "  ciridh." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  words  either  peculiarly  used  or 
unknown  to  the  dictionaries  : — 

aitidh,  thaw,  not  aiteamh. 
.  baothailt,  a  fool, 
broilean,  snout, 
boit,  to  acquire  a  taste  for. 
bodht,  soft  place, 
bruais,  crush, 
ceafan,  a  frivolous  person. 

cadha,  a  pass ;  possibly  this  is  the  Jrish  caoi,  road, 
cair,  moss  in  situ. 
cuirteir,  plaiding. 
cluith,  play,  never  cluicA. 
diosd,  jump, 
deighreach,  a  dirling. 
dorc,  a  piece, 
dluigheil,  handy.     Compare  Irish  dluigh  (service). 


96  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

fealan,  rush  on  face  or  body, 
foichean,  infant's  clout, 
great,  soap-sud. 
gasgag,  a  stride, 
giobull,  a  chap,  fellow, 
onagaid,  a  row,  disturbance, 
robh'd  (roud),  a  lump,  bit. 
sgarmaich,  a  flux  of  stones  on  a  hill-side, 
sgriothail,  a  lot  of  small  items,  such  as  small  potatoes, 
sgoch,  to  notch,  hack. 

smarach,  a  lad.     Compare  Welsh  merch,  girl, 
speadach,  kicking.      M* Alpine  gives  the  meaning  "  sheep- 
shanked." 
stiurag,  gruel. 

tosg,  peat  cutter.     This  is  for  tof^gian. 
teibeid,  a  taunt,  cut.     Compare  the  Old  Irish  tepe,  cutting, 
uirsgeal,  scattering  (dung) :   for  air-sgaoil. 
ulbhach  or  ul'ach,  ashes  :  allied  to  Latin  pulvis,  dust, 
uainneart,  bustle. 


The  following  borrowed  words  may  be  noted  as  presenting 
some  peculiarities  :— 

feirm,  farm  ;  from  the  Scotch  and  English  farm. 

gbileag,  a  hay-cock ;  Scotch  cole. 

pen,  a  pen,  not  peann. 

papar,  paper,  never  paipeir,  tfec. 

piobar,  pepper,  not  peabar. 

pronnasdail,  brimstone,  not  pronnasg. 

protaig,  trick  ;  Scotch  prattick. 

tallaid,  partition  ;  Scotch  halland. 

tr6g,  business,  busy-ness  ;  Scotch  trock. 

Words  like  sort  and  sport  are  pronounced  in  Gaelic  as  sort  and 
sp6rt,  never  as  seorsa,  sporsa ;  the  -rt  has  the  ordinary  Scottish 
"Gaelic  sound,  that  is,  rst,  not  the  sound  heard  in  Arrau  and  in 
Ireland,  which  is  practically  the  English  sound  of  -rt. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  97 

23rd  MARCH,  1892. 

At  this  meeting  Mr  John  T.  Grey,  Rosehaugh  House,  Fortrose, 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Society.  Thereafter  Mr  William 
Mackenzie,  Secretary,  Crofters'  Commission,  read  a  paper  on 
"Gaelic  Incantations  and  Charms  of  the  Hebrides."  Mr  Mac- 
kenzie's paper  was  as  follows  : — 

GAELIC  INCANTATIONS,  CHARMS,  AND  BLESSINGS 
OF  THE  HEBRIDES. 

At  a  meeting  of  this  Society  on  7th  May,  1879,  I  read  a  paper 
entitled  "Leaves  from  my  Celtic  Portfolio,"  concluding  with  a 
number  of  Gaelic  Charms  and  Incantations  I  had  gathered  in 
various  districts  of  the  Highlands.  The  paper  appears  in  Vol. 
VIII.  of  our  Transactions.  Various  writers  had  previously 
published  specimens  of  Gaelic  Incantations,  but  so  far  as  I  am 
aware,  our  volume  contains  the  first  collection  of  them.  Old 
writers  on  Highland  superstitions  make  frequent  reference  to 
Charms;  but  while  they  give  descriptions  of  Ceremonies,  they 
unfortunately  pass  over  the  Incantations  with  contempt.  There 
can  be  no  doubt  that  many  interesting  relics  of  antiquity  have 
thus  been  lost  to  the  folk-lorist.  The  belief  in  these  matters  is 
rapidly  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past ;  and  the  Charms  and 
Incantations  are  lost  as  each  successive  year  death  carries  away 
the  old  people  among  whom  alone  they  are  to  be  found.  While 
thus  the  field  where  Charms  and  Incantations  may  be  got  is 
becoming  more  and  more  limited,  the  collector  has  further  to 
contend  with  these  difficulties  (first)  that  those  who  know  them 
and  believe  in  their  efficacy  will  not  communicate  them  to  anyone 
on  whom  they  may  look  as  an  unbeliever ;  and  (second)  that  many 
who  know  them  as  matter  of  tradition  are  frequently  ashamed  to 
own  the  fact.  It  is  satisfactory  to  know,  however,  that  many  of 
these  relics  of  the  past  have  been  rescued,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  members  of  this  Society  may  do  what  they  can  to  add  to  our 
store  of  this  peculiar  kind  of  folk-lore  ere  it  be  too  late.  Our 
friend,  Mr  Alexander  Macbain,  published  a  valuable  collection  of 
fiem  in  the  Highland  Monthly  during  last  year  (1891).  To-night  I 
propose  to  resume  the  subject  commenced  before  this  Society  in 
1879  ;  and  although  it  may  be  necessary  to  recall  here  and  there 
portions  of  my  former  paper,  and  also  to  refer  to,  and  sometimes 
to  quote  from,  the  writings  of  Mr  Macbain  and  others,  I  will 
endeavour  to  place  before  you,  in  the  main,  Charms  and  Incanta- 
tions which,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  have  not  hitherto  been  published. 


98  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

From  the  earliest  times  we  read  of  wizards  and  witches, 
sorcerers  and  magicians.  The  State  punished  them  as  persons 
dangerous  to  society,  and  the  burning  of  witches  forms  an 
interesting  if  not  a  very  edifying  feature  of  our  national  history. 
In  these  proceedings  the  Churches  have  taken  an  active  part.  A 
popular  proverb  has  it — "  Gheibh  baobh,  a  guidhe  ged  nach  fhaigh 
a  h-anam  trocair  " — "  A  witch  will  get  her  wish  though  her  soul 
may  not  get  mercy."  To  banish  from  the  minds  of  the  people 
such  a  belief  as  this  was  a  task  which  the  Churches  seemed  to 
have  pb.ced  before  themselves.  Our  .Gaelic-speaking  Highlanders 
were  taught  to  place  no  belief  in  witchcraft  and  divination,, 
and  our  cousins  in  Ireland  were  taught  the  same  lesson.  In  a 
Catholic  Catechism  I  find  the  following  among  the  things  forbidden 
by  the  First  Commandment : — 

Q. — A  bheil  a  Chiad  Aithne  'bacail  ui  sam  bith  eile  ? 

A. — Tha — buidseachd,  eolasan,  giseagan,  innse-fortain,  a'  toirt 
brlgh  a  bruadar,  agus  gach  comunn  de  'n  t-seorsa  sin  ris  an 
Aibheistear. 

Again,  in  the  Catechism  by  Andrew  Donlevy,  Director  of  the  Irish 
Community  at  Paris,  published  in  that  city  in  1742,  and  still  in  use 
in  Ireland,  I  find  the  following  among  the  things  forbidden  by 
that  commandment : — 

Ceisd. — An  bhfuil  se  an  aghaidh  na  hAithene-si  Comhairle 
d'  iarraidh  air  lucht  faisdine,  Draoidheachta,  no  Pise6g,  noch  do  ni 
cunnradh  ris  an  Diabhal  ? 

Freagradh. — A  ta  gan  amhrus  ;  do  bhrigh  gur  ab  o'n  Diabhal 
gheibhid  gach  Eolus,  da  mbi  aca. 

C. —  Creud  is  Pise6ga  aim? 

F. — Briathra  do  radh,  no  Comharrtha  do  dheunamh  chum 
criche,  do  chum  nach  bhful  brigh  na  buaidh  aca  6  Naduir,  6  Dhia, 
na  6  'n  Eagluls. 

Notwithstanding  the  influence  of  the  Churches,  the  belief  in 
witchcraft  is  not  quite  dead,  and  Charms  and  Incantations  have 
survived  to  the  present  time.  As  to  the  supposed  effect  of  witch- 
craft, I  will  quote  a  sentence  from  a  leaflet  which  I  picked  up  in 
[nverness  last  winter.  It  is  headed  the  "Crofters  and  Witchcraft." 
The  writer  says  he  himself  was  confined  in  an  asylum — a  circum- 
stance throwing  all  the  light  necessary  on  his  lucubrations.  His 
description  of  his  feelings  under  what  he  believed  to  be  the 
influence  of  witchcraft  is,  however,  exceedingly  interesting.  It  is 
as  follows  : — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  99 

"As  an  example  of  how  this  man  of  sin  punishes  those  who. 
differ  from  him  in  religion,  I  may  state  that  I  am  daily  tortured 
by  his  most  powerful  agent,  viz ,  witchcraft.  It  takes  away  the 
faculties  of  my  brains ;  it  makes  my  body  feel  as  if  some  one  was 
sticking  hot  irons  in  me,  at  other  times  I  feel  as  cold  as  ice  ;  it 
weakens  me  to  such  an  extent  that  I  am  hardly  able  to  move  out 
of  the  position  in  which  I  stand  ;  it  gives  me  such  a  shock  while  I 
am  walking  on  the  public  road  that  I  am  not  able  to  stand  and 
speak  to  any  one ;  it  has  got  such  a  hold  upon  my  body  and  soul 
that  I  find  that  the  most  experienced  members  of  the  medical 
profession  are  unable  to  do  any  good  to  me." 

The  popular  belief  in  witchcraft  is  also  well  expressed  by 
Duncan  Mackenzie,  the  Kinlochewe  bard,  in  a  song  appearing  at 
page  22  of  his  book.  In  this  song  the  nuptials  of  a  young  couple 
are  described.  The  mother  of  the  bride,  according  to  the  bard, 
was  a  witch — her  race  being  noted  for  "  Buidseachd  a's  Draoidh- 
eachd  a's  Farmud."  In  the  song  the  old  lady  is  pictured  as  using 
herbs,  assuming  the  form  of  a  hare,  and  robbing  her  neighbours' 
cattle  of  their  substance,  endowing  the  musicians  at  the  marriage 
with  the  power  of  playing  fairy  music;  and  by  means  of  a  Love 
Charm  winning  the  affections  of  the  bridegroom  for  her  daughter. 
The  following  two  verses  will  serve  as  specimens  : — 

'S  i  mathair  Ceit  Uilleim  bha  lamhach 

'N  uair  chaidh  i  'n  riochd  gearr  feadh  na  duthch'  ; 
Bha  im  aic'  a  thoradh  a'  Bhraighe 

'S  bha  'n  caise  bho  mhnaibh  Leitir-iugh, 
Bha  'm  bainne  cho  tiugh  ris  a'  bharr  aic' 

(A's  muighe  dubh  Ian  ann  an  cuil) 
Ga  'bhleoghan  a  dubhan  na  slalhruidh, 

'S  i  'g  aithris  nan  rann  a  bh'aig  Fionn. 

'N  uair  chuir  iad  a'  charaid  a  chadal 

Bha  'chailleach  ga  faire  gu  treang ; 
Chuir  i  uisg'-oir  air  an  casari 

A's  liath-lus  a's  aitionn  fo'n  ceann. 
Bha  i  ga'n  sianadh  's  ga'n  teagasg 

An  dochas  gun  gineadh  iad  cloinn 
'S  chuir  ifathrfith  air  na  balaich, 

Cha  loisgeadh  na  dagaichean  straoil. 

In  connection  with  Charms  and  Incantations,  it  has  to  be 
pointed  out  that  while  it  appears  to  be  impossible  to  get  the 
malific  Charms,  or  such  as  are  identified  with  what  is  usually 


100  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

termed  witchcraft,1  there  are  numerous  specimens  which  are  really 
of  a  Christian  character,  and  are  intended  by  the  invocation  of 
the  Trinity  to  defy  evil  agencies,  or  effect  cures.  In  these  cases 
the  Charms  are  forms  of  prayer — a  sort  of  ritual  unauthorised  by 
the  Churches.  Although  the  Churches  might  have  laughed  at 
them,  those  who  practised  them  sincerely  believed  in  them.  A 
discussion  on  the  domain  of  prayer  forms  no  part  of  my  subject, 
but  I  think  the  ordinary  mind  may  find  it  difficult  to  see  wherein 
lies  the  difference  between  the  simple-minded  peasant  who,  with 
implicit  faith  in  its  efficacy,  mutters  a  prayer  with  the  view  of 
stopping  the  toothache  or  curing  a  colic,  and  the  modern 
ecclesiastic  who,  by  a  prayer,  hopes  to  stamp  out  the  influenza. 

As  illustrating  the  Christian  character  of  many  of  our 
old  Charms,  reference  may  be  made  to  St  Patrick's  Hymn 

1  Since  the  above  was  written,  my  friend,  Mr  Walter  Traill  Dennison,  West 
Brough,  Sanday,  has  favoured  me  with  the  formula  of  old  used  in  Orkney  to 
acquire  witchcraft.  Mr  Dennison  wrote  it  down  nearly  50  years  ago  from  the 
recital  of  an  old  Orkney  woman— the  grand-daughter  of  a  noted  witch.  The 
formula  to  be  gone  through  to  obtain  witchcraft  (or,  as  Mr  Dennison  says,  in 
plain  English,  a  formula  for  giving  one's  self  bo  the  Devil)  was  as  follows  : — 

The  person  wishing  to  acquire  the  witch's  knowledge  must  go  to  the  sea- 
shore at  midnight,  must,  as  he  goes,  turn  three  times  against  the  course  of  the 
sun,  must  lie  down  flat  on  his  back  with  his  head  to  the  south,  and  on  ground 
between  the  lines  of  high  and  low  water.  He  must  grasp  a  stone  in  each  hand 
have  a  stone  at  the  side  of  each  foot,  a  stone  at  his  head,  a  flat  stone  on  his 
chest,  and  another  over  his  heart ;  and  must  lie  with  arms  and  legs  stretched 
out.  He  will  then  shut  his  eyes,  and  slowly  repeat  the  following 
Incantation :  — 

0,  Mester  King  o'  a'  that's  ill, 

Come  fill  me  wi'  the  warlock  skill, 

An'  I  sail  serve  wi'  all  me  will. 

Trow  [Satan]  tak'  me  gin  I  sinno  !   [shall  not] 

Trow  tak'  me  gin  I  winno  !  [will  not] 

Trow  tak'  me  whin  I  cinno  !  [cannot] 

Come  tak'  me  noo,  an'  tak'  me  a', 

Tak'  lights  an'  liver,  pluck  an'  ga', 

Tak'  me,  tak'  me,  noo,  I  say, 

Fae  de  how  o'  de  head  tae  de  tip  of  de  tae  ; 

Tak'  a'  dat's  oot  an'  in  o'  rne, 

Tak'  hide  an'  hair  an'  a'  tae  thee, 

Tak'  hert  an'  harns,  flesh,  bleud,  an'  buns,  [bones] 

Tak'  a'  atween  de  seeven  stuns  [stones] 

I'  de  name  o'  de  muckle  black  Wallawa  ! 

The  person  must  lie  quiet  for  a  little  time  after  repeating  the  Incantation. 
Then  opening  his  eyes,  he  should  turn  on  his  left  side,  arise  and  fling  the 
stones  used  in  the  operation  into  the  sea.  Each  stone  must  be  flung  singly  ; 
and  with  the  throwing  of  each  a  certain  malediction  was  said.  Mr  Dennison's 
informant  professed  to  have  forgotten  the  terms  of  the  malediction,  but  he 
rather  suspected  she  considered  the  imprecations  too  shocking  to  repeat. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  101 

— one  of  the  old  Irish  hymns  preserved  in  the  Liber  Hymnorum, 
a  collection  made  in  the  10th  or  llth  century  of  hymns  composed 
in  former  times.  The  hymn  in  question  is  attributed  to  St  Patrick 
himself — "  Patraicc  dorcne  innimmunsa  " — and  we  are  told  that  it- 
was  composed  in  the  time  of  Loegaire  Meic  Neill,  who  persecuted  the 
Saint  and  his  followers.  According  to  the  Four  Masters,  Loegaire 
was  killed  by  the  Elements  of  God — Duile  De — in  the  year  458. 
In  the  hymn  we  have  the  Saint  binding  himself  to  God,  and 
invoking  heavenly  powers  for  protection  against  inter  alia  "  Incan- 
tations of  false  prophets"  (+ri  tinchetla  saibfathe),  arid  against 
"  Spells  of  women  and  smiths  and  druids>"  (fri  brichta  ban  7  gobantf 
7  druad).  [For  hymn  in  full,  vide  "  Scottish  Celtic  Review,"  p. 
49]. 

Charms  and  Incantations  are  known  by  difterent  names,  and 
although  many  of  them  seem  to  be  now  regarded  as  synonymous, 
there  was  doubtless  originally  a  difference  of  meaning.  We  have 
the  Rosad,  a  malific  charm,  which  rendered  its  victim  powerless. 
Thus  the  hunter  who  was  unlucky  in  his  sport  believed  that  a 
witch  or  other  evil  disposed  person  put  a  Rosad  on  himself  or  his 
gun.  The  opposite  of  Rosad  is  Sian — the  latter  being  the  spell 
that  protected  one  from  evil  agencies  and  ordinary  dangers. 

Geas  was  a  form  of  enchantment — Daoine  fo  gheasaibh  are  men 
spellbound  and  enchanted  ;  and  most  Inverness  men  are  acquainted 
with  the  popular  belief  that  the  Feinne  are  enchanted,  reclining  on 
their  elbows  in  Craigacho.  The  word  gisreagan  or  geiseagan,  whicli 
is  commonly  employed  to  signify  enchantments,  and  the  belief  in 
witchcraft,  is  doubtless  from  geas.  This  word  occurs  in  Manx ;  and 
in  Moore's  "  Folklore  of  the  Isle  of  Man  "  we  have,  on  page  89,  an 
account  of  Caillagh-ny-Ghueshag,  or  the  "  Old  woman  of  the 
spells." 

Then  we  have  ubag,  ubhaidh,  obag,  or  obaidh,  meaning  a 
"charm"  or  "incantation."  In  Old  Irish  the  form  is  upaidh 
The  word  occurs  in  Manx  as  obbee,  and  we  may  translate  fer- 
obbee  as  "  a  man  charmer,"  and  ben-obbee  as  "a  woman  charmer." 

The  Eolas,  which  really  means  "  knowledge,"  is  probably  the 
most  popular  of  our  charms.  The  origin  of  Eolais  in  the  Western 
Islands,  according  to  the  local  traditions,  is  as  follows  : — 

St  Columba  had  two  tenants.  One  had  a  family  and  the  other 
had  not.  The  rent  was  the  same  in  each  case.  The  one  who  had 
no  family  complained  to  the  Saint  of  the  unfairness  of  his  having- 
to  pay  as  much  rent  as  the  other  considering  his  circumstances. 
The  Saint  told  him  to  steal  a  shilling's  worth  from  any  person,  and 
to  restore  it  at  the  end  of  a  year.  The  man  took  the  advice,  and 


102  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

stole  a  small  book  belonging  to  St  Columba  himself,  and  thereafter 
he  proceeded  to  the  Outer  Hebrides,  where  he  permitted  people  to 
read  the  book  for  a  certain  sum  of  money.  The  book  was  read 
with  great  avidity,  as  it  contained  all  the  "  Eolais"  composed  by 
the  Saint  for  the  curing  of  men  and  cattle.  Thus  it  was  that  these 
"Eolais  "  came  to  be  so  well  known  in  the  Western  Islands.  The 
farmer  went  back  to  St  Columba  at  the  end  of  a  year,  having 
amassed  a  considerable  fortune,  and  restored  the  book.  The  Saint 
immediately  burned  the  book,  so  that  he  himself  might  not  on  its 
account  earn  a  reputation  which  he  thought  he  did  not  deserve. 

.  Finally,  we  have  the  orr  or  orra,  ortha,  or,  as  the  Irish  have  it> 
ordid.  As  the  English  word  "  charm  "  is  derived  from  the  Latin 
carmen,  a  song  :  and  "  incantation"  from  cano,  I  sing;  so  orr  may 
be  derived  from  oro,  I  pray.  The  lrishj>rdid  and  the  Latin  oratio 
are  probably  different  forms  of  the  same  word.  In  the  Western 
Islands  of  Ireland  ortha  means  a  hymn.  Macalpine  in  his 
Dictionary  defines  orra  as  "  amulet  or  enchantment  to  effect  some- 
thing wonderful ;"  and  he  gives  the  following  list  of  examples  : — 

Orra-ghraidh — An  amulet 1  to  provoke  unlawful  love. 

Orra-sheamlachais — An  amulet  to  make  a  cow  allow  the  calf  of 
another  cow  to  suck  her. 

Orra-chomais — An  amulet  to  deprive  a  man  of  his  virility,  par- 
ticularly on  his  marriage  night,  by  way  of  vengeance. 

Orra-na-h-aoine — An  amulet  to  drown  a  foe. 

Orra  an -donuis—  An  amulet  to  send  one's  foe  to  the  mischief. 

Orra-ghrudaire — An  amulet  to  make  every  drop  of  the  wash  to 
overflow  the  wash-tuns  ;  and 

An  orra-bhalbh — An  amulet  to  prevent  one's  agent  to  make  a 
defence  in  a  court  of  justice. 

The  Charms  and  Incantations  which  follow  may  be  divided  into 
five  classes  : — First — Those  aiming  at  divination  ;  Second — Those 
which,  by  means  of  volition,  seek  to  attain  certain  ends ;  Third  — 
Protective  Charms  and  Amulets ;  Fourth — Those  intended  for  the 
cure  of  men  and  the  lower  animals  from  certain  diseases ;  and 
Fifth — Blessings  and  miscellaneous  Charms. 

I  will  commence  with  the  subject  of  divination.  Under  the 
general  title  of  Divination,  I  will  take  first  the  Frith. 

1  Although   "  amulet "  is  the  word  used,  it  is  obvious  that  "  charm  "  or 
"  incantation  "  is  meant. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  103 


FRITH. 


So  far  as  I  am  aware,  the  Frith  is  quite  unknown  on  the 
mainland.  Professor  O'Growney,  of  St  Patrick's  College,  May- 
nooth,  informs  me  he  never  heard  of  it  in  Ireland.  He,  however, 
explains  that  the  word/r^A  is  a  verb  in  Irish,  and  signifies  "to  find." 
One  can  therefore  easily  conceive  how  it  came  to  he  used  in  the 
special  sense  given  it  in  this  charm — "  Frith  Isu  isin  Tempull  (liter- 
ally, Inventus  est  Jesus  in  Templo,  and  signifying  the  finding  of 
Jesus  in  the  Temple) — would  easily  lead  the  unlettered  to  take  frith 
AS  a  noun.  Macalpine  appears  to  be  the  only  Gaelic  Lexicographer 
who  gives  us  a  definition  of  it  in  the  sense  here  used.  He  describes 
it  as  "  an  Incantation  to  find  whether  people  at  a  great  distance  or 
at  sea  be  in  life."  It  is,  in  short,  a  species  of  horoscope,  wherein 
the  position  of  the  objects  which  meet  our  eyes  takes  the  place  in 
the  Frith  which  the  position  of  the  heavenly  bodies  took  in  the 
horoscope  of  the  ancient  astrologers. 

The  Frith  is  religious  in  its  character,  and  is  attributed  to  the 
Virgin  Mary.  It  is  called  in  Uist,  Frith  a  rinn  Moire  dha  Mac — 
41  the  Frith  that  Mary  made  for  her  Son."  According  to  Holy 
Writ,  Joseph  and  the  Virgin  Mary  went  with  the  child-  Jesus, 
when  he  was  twelve  years  old,  to  the  Feast  of  the  Passover  in 
Jerusalem.  When  they  fulfilled  the  days  of  the  feast,  they 
returned,  but  the  child  Jesus  tarried  behind  them  in  Jerusalem, 
-and  they  knew  it  not.  The  account  of  their  three  days'  anxious 
search  for  him  is  narrated  in  the  Bible,  and  our  Highland  poetess, 
Sileas  na  Ceapaich,  beautifully  describes  the  whole  situation  in 
Laoidh  na  Maighdinn  : — 


Thug  iad  cliu  do  Dhia  's  an  Teampull 

'S  gu  Nasaret  air  dhaibh  bhi  tilleadh, 
Suil  ga'n  tug  iad  air  an  gualainn 

Dh'  ionndrainn  iad  bhuap  am  Messiah. 
'S  iadsan  a  bha  duilich,  deurach, 

'Nuair  nach  b'  urrainn  doibh  ga  sheanchas, 
'S  tuirseach  a  bha  iad  mu  dheighinn, 

Na  tri  14  bha  iad  ga  'shireadh  ; 
'N  am  'bhi  dol  seachad  an  Teampuill 

Dh'aithnich  iad  a  chainnt  gu  beathail, 
Eadar  na  doctoirean  a'  teagasg, 

Bu  deas  a  thigeadh  dha  labhairt. 

This  subject,  too,  forms  one  of  the  Fifteen  Mysteries  of  Mary 
recognised  by  the  Catholic  Church.    During  the  search  the  Virgin 


104  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Mary,  we  are  told,  made  a  Frith  which  enabled  her  to  discover  the 
Saviour  among  the  doctors  in  the  Temple,  and  left  it  for  the  benefit 
of  future  generations. 

The  Frith  is  not  yet  an  institution  of  the  past  in  some  of  the 
Outer  Islands  ;  and  when  the  fate  of  absent  ones  is  causing  friends 
anxiety,  or  when  it  is  uncertain  whether  the  illness  of  men  or  of  the 
lower  animals  may  speedily  pass  away  or  terminate  fatally,  a  Frith 
is  made.  A  Frith  may  be  made  at  any  time  ;  but  the  first 
Monday  of  the  quarter — a'  chiad  Di-luain  de'n  Raithe — is.  con- 
sidered the  most  auspicious. 

The  mode  of  making  the  Frith  is  as  follows  : — 

In  the  morning  the  Ave  Maria,  or  Beannachadh  Moire,  is  said 
thus — 

Beannaichear  dhut,  a  Mho, ire,1 

Tha  thu  Ian  dhe  na  grasan ; 

Tha  'n  Tighearna  maille  riut ; 

'S  beannuichte  thu  measg  nam  ban  ; 

'S  beannaichte  toradh  do  bhronn — losa. 

A  Naomh  Mhoire — 'Mhathair  Dhe — 

Guidh  air  ar  son-ne,  na  peacaich, 

A  nis  agus  aig  uair  ar  bais — Amen. 

After  repeating  the  Ave,  the  person  proceeds  with  closed  eyes  to  the 
door.  On  reaching  the  maide-buinn,  or  door-step,  he  opens  his  eyes, 
and  if  he  sees  the  Cross  (Crois  Chriosda),  although  it  were  only 
made  with  two  straws  lying  across  each  other,  it  is  a  sign  that  all 
will  be  well.  On  getting  outside,  he  proceeds  round  the  house 
sunwise  (deiseal),  repeating  the  following  Incantation  : — 

Dia  romham  ; 

Moire  am  dheaghaidh 

'S  am  Mac  a  thug  Righ  nan  Dul 

'S  a  chairich  Brighde  na  glaic. 

Mis'  air  do  shlios,  a  Dhia, 

Is  Dia  na'na  luirg. 

Mac  Moire,  a's  Righ  nan  Dul, 

A  shoillseachadh  gach  ni  dheth  so, 

Le  a  ghras,  mu'm  choinneamh. 

1  This  version  of  the  Ave  Maria  I  noted  from  an  old  Uist  lady.  Other 
versions  commence  "  Failte  dhut,  a  Mhoire."  In  Donlevy's  Irish  Catechism, 
previously  referred  to,  it  begins  "  Dia  do  bheatha  a  Mhuire."  In  Munster  the 
form  is — "  Go  mbeannuighthear  duit,  a  Mhuire." 


Gaelic  Incantations,  105 

Translated — 

God  before  me ; 

The  Virgin  Mary  after  me  ; 

And  the  Son  sent  by  the  King  of  the  El  ements ; 

And  whom  St  Bridget  took  in  her  arms. 

I  am  on  thy  land  [side  ?],  0  God  ! 

And  God  on  my  footsteps ; 

May  the  Son  of  Mary,  King  of  the  Elements, 

Reveal  the  meaning  of  each  of  these  things 

Before  me,  through  His  grace. 

Another  version  of  the  Incantation  is  as  follows  : — 

Tha  mise  falbh  air  srath  Chriosd  : 

Dia  romham,  Dia  am  dheighidh, 

A's  Dia  a  m'  luirg.1 

A  Fhrith  a  rinn  Moire  dha  'Mac, 

A  sheid  Brighde  troimh  a  glaic, 

Mar  a  fhuair  ise  fios  firinneach, 

Gun  fhios  breige, 

Mise  dh'  fhaicinn  samhla  's  coltas 2 

Translated — 

I  go  forth  on  the  track  of  Christ — 
God  before  me,  God  behind  me, 
And  God  on  my  footsteps. 
The  Frith  that  Mary  made  for  her  Son, 
Which  Bridget  blew  through  her  palm ; 
And  as  she  got  a  true  response, 
Without  a  false  one, 

May    I    behold    the     likeness     and     similitude     of 
A- B . 

The  Incantation  finished,  the  person  looks  forth  over  the 
country,  and  by  the  auguries  or  omens  which  meet  the  eye  he 
divines  what  will  be  the  fate  of  the  man  or  animal  for  whom  the 
Frith  is  being  made — whether  the  absent  one,  about  whom  nothing 
is  known,  is  in  life,  and  well ;  or  whether  the  sick  man  or  beast 
at  home  will  recover  from  his  ailment.  Subjoined  is  a  list  of 
objects,  with  their  significance.  This  list  is  compiled  from  various 
sources,  but  largely  from  notes  placed  at  my  disposal  by  Father 

1  We  have  similar  expressions  in  St  Patrick's  Hymn,  already  referred  to — 
"  Crist  lim  Crist  rium  Crist  imdegaid  " 
(Christ  with  me,  Christ  before  me,  Christ  after  me). 
2  Here  the  name  of  the  missing  person  was  said. 


106  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

Allan  Macdonald,  Dalibrog,  South  Uist,  a  gentleman  to  whom  I  am 
indebted  for  much  information  in  connection  with  this  paper  : — 

A  man  coming  towards  you..  An  excellent  sign. 

A  cock  looking  towards  you.  Also  an  excellent  sign. 

A  man  standing Sign  of  a  sick  man  recovering  and 

casting  off  illness. 

A  man  lying  down Sickness  ;  continued  illness. 

A  beast  lying  down Ominous — sickness ;    continued    ill- 
ness ;  death. 

A  beast  rising  up Sign    of    a    man     recovering     and 

throwing  off  illness. 

A  bird  on  the  wing A  good  sign. 

A  bird  on  the  wing  coming 

to  you Sign  of  aWetter  coming. 

A  woman  seen  standing A  bad  sign — such  as  death,  or  some 

untoward  event — (Am  bas,  no  ni 
rosadach  air  chor-eigin).1 
A    woman    seen    passing    or 

returning Not  so  bad. 

A  woman  with  red  hair Not  lucky.2 

A  woman  with  fair  hair  (fait 

ban) Not  lucky. 

A    woman    with   black    hair 

(fait  dubh) Lucky. 

A  woman   with   brown    hair 

(fait  donn) Luckiest. 

Fowls  without  a  cock  in  their 

midst Not  a  good  sign. 

Stonechat  ( Clachran) Untoward  (rosadach) — 

Chunnaic  mi  'n  t-seilcheag  an  talamh  toll, 
Chunnaic  mi  'n  clachran  air  lie  luim, 
Chunnaic  mi  'n  searrach  's  a  chul  rium, 

1  Bu  choir  do  dhuine  e-fein  a  choisrigeadh  nam  faiceadh  e  boirionnach  an 
Sun  abhi  'deanarnh  na  Frithe — (A  man  should  cross  himself  should  he  see  a 
woman  when  making  the  Frith). 

2  Red  hair  does  not  appear  to  have  been  favoured  by  the  Celts.      An    old 
song  says — 

Cha  ghabh  mi  'n  te  fhrionasaich,  chonasach,  ruadh, 

A  chumas  an  Bonus  na  mhollachdainn  suas. 

Again,  Lady  Wilde,  writing  of  Irish  superstitions,  says — "  It  is  unlucky  to  meet 
a  red-haired  man  or  woman  the  first  thing  in  the  morning  ;  but  a  freckled 
red-haired  woman  is  particularly  dangerous.  Should  she  be  in  your  path  on 
first  going  out,  turn  back  at  once,  for  danger  is  in  the  way.  Some  say  that 
Judas  Iscariot  had  red  hair,  hence  the  tradition  of  its  evil  augury." 


Gaelic  Incantations.  107 

Dh'  fhaithnich  mi  nach  reachadh  a'  bhliadhna  learn — 
Chaill  mi  bean-an  tighe  's  a'  chlann. l 

A  lark8 A  good  sign. 

A  dove A  good  sign. 

A  crow  or  raven  3 . . ., A  bad  sign ;  death. 

A  sparrow  (glaiseun) Not  lucky — but  blessed.  (It  fore- 
tells the  death  of  a  child). 

A  wild  duck  (Lack) A  good  sign. 

Ducks  (Tunnagan) 4 Good.  (For  sailors  especially — 

meaning  safety  from  drowning). 

A  dog Good  luck. 

A  cat Good  for  Mackintoshes  only.  To 

others  it  is  considered  rosadach, 
or  untoward.  The  cat  is  re- 
garded as  evil,  as  shown  by  the 
fact  that  witches  are  believed  to 
assume  this  form. 

A  pig Good  for  Campbells.  For  others 

indifferent  when  facing  you  ;  bad 
with  its  back  towards  you. 

A  calf,  or  lamb Lucky  with  its  face  to  you ;  good 

with  side. 

A  horse Lucky. 

A  brown  horse Is  the  best. 

A  chestnut  or  red  horse A  bad  sign  ;  death. 

1  Another  version  runs — 

Chunnaic  mi  seilcheag  air  lie  luim 
Chunnaic  mi  searrach  's  a  chulthaobh  rium, 
Chuala  mi  'chuthag  's  gun  bhiadh  am  bhroinn, 
Dh'  aithnich  mi  nach  cinneadh  a'  bhliadhna  learn. 

2  The  lark  was  considered  sacred,  and  to  it  the  endearing  term  of  Uiseay 
Mhoire  (the  lark  of  the  Virgin  Mary)  was  frequently  applied.      In  Orkney  the 
term  "  Wir  Lady's  hen"  was  applied  of  old  to  the  lark.     In  Ireland  the  red 
breast  is  associated  with  the  Virgin,  its  Irish  name  being  Spideog-Mhuire. 

3  The  raven  is  always  regarded  as  ominoup.      In  the  Saga  of  "  Howard  the 
Halt,"  for  instance,  it  is  referred  to  as  "  hawk  of  slaughter"  and  "  blood  fowl." 
In  Ireland,  ar.  Lady  Wilde  tells  us,   "  when  a  raven  is  seen  hovering  round  a 
cottage,  evil  is  near,  and  a  death  may  follow,  or  some  great  disaster  ;  therefore, 
to  turn  away  ill-luck,  say  at  once  :   '  May  fire  and  water  be  on  you,  0  bird  of 
evil,  and  may  the  curse  of  God  be  on  your  head  for  ever  and  ever.'  " 

4  Ducks  are  considered  blessed.     Tradition  informs  us  that  on  a  certain 
occasion  Jesus  had  to  take  refuge,  and  that  he  was  concealed  under  straw. 
Hens  scraped  the  straw  away,  thus  exposing  him,  but  the  ducks  pushed  it  back 
again.     The  duck  has  since  been  considered  blessed. 


108  Gaelic  Society  of  /nuerness. 

As  to  the  colours  of  horses  generally,  we  have  the  following  :  — 

Each  donn Fearann.  I  Brown  horse Land. 

Each  glas Fairge.       I  Grey  horse The  ocean. 


Each  ruadh Reilig. 

Eachdubh...  .  Mulad. 


Chestnut  horse..  The  churchyard. 
Black  horse Sorrow. 


I  now  proceed  to  deal  with  the  class  intended  to  accomplish 
certain  ends  by  the  exercise  of  the  will,  and  commence  with 

LOVE   CHARMS. 

In  the  list  of  amulets  given  from  Macalpine,  we  have  the- 
Orra-ghraidk,  or  Love  Charm.  The  Highlanders  of  old,  like  the 
ancient  Greeks,  seem  to  have  believed  in  the  efficacy  of  charms  and 
philtres,  in  order,  as  Erastus  has  it,  to  force  men  and  women  to 
love  and  hate  whom  they  will.  "  Sa"ga3  omnes  sibi  arrogant 
notitiam,  et  facultatem  in  amorem  alliciendi  quos  velint ;  odia 
inter  conjuges  serendi."  We  have  the  idea  of  the  Love  Charm  in 
Duncan  Ban  Macintyre's  Rainn  a  ghabhas  maighdean  d'a  leannan 
(Verses  which  a  maiden  will  say  to  her  sweetheart),  but  as  the 
ceremony  prescribed  may,  on  the  whole,  be  regarded  as  impossible, 
it  is  clear  that  the  poet  himself  did  not  believe  in  the  efficacy  of 
such  Incantations.  That  the  idea  has,  however,  survived  to  recent 
times  is  undoubted,  and  a  good  instance  of  it  is  given  by  the  Ken- 
lochewe  bard  in  the  poem  already  referred  to.  Describing  how  the 
bridegroom  was  "  charmed "  by  the  young  woman's  mother,  he 
.says  : — 

'S  beag  a  bha  dhuil  aige  'posadh 
An  la  chaidh  Seonaid  'na  chainnt — 
Rug  i  da  uair  air  a  chr6gan 
A's  chuir  i  na  h-orrachann  annt ; 
Thionndaidh  a  chridhe  le  solas  : 
Chaidh  dalladh  a's  sgle6  air  's  an  am, 
'S  cha  'n  fhaiceadh  e  aon  te  cho  bbidheach 
Ri  Ceit  ged  a  sheoladh  e  'n  Fhraing. 

In  the  Highlands,  a  herb  called  gradh  a'sfuatk  (love  and  hate) 
was  believed,  when  properly  applied,  to  provoke  love  or  hate,, 
according  to  the  wish  of  the  person  using  the  Charm.  For  the- 
following  Incantation  to  excite  love,  I  am  indebted  to  Mr  Macbain: — 

Suil  bhlath  Chriosd  air  Peadar, 
Suil  chaomh  na  h-Oighe  air  Eoin  ; 
Gu'n  leanadh,  gu'n  leonadh,  gu'n  lotadh, 
Gu'n  iadhadh  gu  teann  seachd  altanach, 


Gaelic  Incantations.  109 

Le  seachd  snaim  cruaidh-shnaim 

Mu  chridhe  na  h-Eala 

'Rinn  mise  'lot  's  a  leon 

Gus  an  coinnich  lot  ri  lot, 

Leon  ri  leon,  's  a  cridhe  'breabadh  le  aoibhneas 

Ri  faicinn  gnuis  a  ruin  : 

An  ainm  an  Athar,  &c. 
Translated — 

The  soft  eye  of  Christ  upon  Peter, 

The  mild  eye  of  the  Virgin  on  John  ; 

To  follow,  to  wound,  and  to  pierce  ; 

May  seven  moss  grasses  with  seven  hard  knots 

Wind  round  the  heart  of  the  Swan 

That  caused  my  wound  and  piercing, 

Until  wound  meets  wound  and  gash  to  gash, 

And  her  heart  jumps  with  joy 

At  seeing  the  face  of  her  love  : 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  &c. 

A  herb — evidently  the  altanach,  a  kind  of  mountain  or  moss  grass 
— was  manipulated  during  the  saying  of  the  above. 

Our  Irish  cousins  also  have  their  Love  Charms,  or,  as  they  call 
them,  Ortha  na  Seirce.  To  Professor  O'Growney,  of  Maynooth,  I 
am  indebted  for  the  following,  received  by  him  from  Mr  O'Faherty, 
of  the  west  of  Connaught : — 

Ortha  a  chuir  Muire  in  im, 

Ortha  seirce  's  sior-ghradh ; 

Nar  stadaidh  do  cholann,  acht  d'  aire  bheith  orm 

Go  leanfaidh  do  ghradh  mo  ghnaoi 

Mar  leanas  an  bh6  an  laogh 

O'n  la  so  amach  go  h-uair  mo  bhais. 

Translated— 

A  charm  Mary  (B.  Virgin)  put  in  butter, 
A  charm  of  affection  and  lasting  love ; 
May  thy  body  not  rest,  but  may'st  thou  be 

uneasy  about  me 

Until  thy  love  follows  my  countenance 
As  the  cow  follows  the  calf. 
From  to-day  till  death's  hour. 

As  a  companion-picture,  the  following  Love  Charm  from  Eng- 
land may  be  appropriately  given.  The  love-sick  maiden  was  one 
Susan  Lebway  ;  and  the  precious  document  containing  the  charm 


110  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

was  found  some  30  years  ago.  The  paper  on  which  the  formula 
was  written  also  contains  figures  of  the  sun  and  moon  and  other 
heavenly  bodies,  and  the  magic  square.  Along  with  it  were  par- 
ings of  the  finger  and  toe  nails  and  a  tiny  piece  of  linen,  believed 
to  be  a  portion  of  Susan's  undergarment.  The  whole  was  neatly 
folded  up,  and  was  wrapped  in  three  folds  of  linen  and  stitched 
under  a  covering  of  silk.  This  curious  collection  was  worn  in  the 
left  armpit.  The  formula  was  as  follows  : — 

"  Susan  Lebway  to  draw  the  affections  of  Theobald  Young  to 
herself,  so  that  he  shall  never  have  any  rest  or  peace  until  he  da 
return  unto  her,  and  make  her  his  lawful  wife.  Let  the  spirits  of 
the  planeta  continually  torment  him  until  he  do  fulfil  this,  my 
request ;  Cossiel  Lachiel  Samuel  Michail  Araiel  Rhaphail  Gabriel, 
I  continually  stir  up  his  mind  thereto.  Fiat  fiat  fiat  cito  cito  cito. 
Amen." — Reliquary,  vol.  x.  + 

That  the  Philtre  or  Love  Potion  was  in  use  among  the  ancient 
Celts  there  can  be  no  doubt.  In  support  of  this  statement,  I  quote 
the  following  paragraph  from  the  Irish  Life  of  St  Bridget  in  the 
"  Book  of  Lismore,"  edited  by  Mr  Whitley  Stokes  : — 

"There  was  a  certain  man  biding  in  Lassair's  Church,  and  his  wife 
was  leaving  him,  and  would  not  take  bit  nor  sleep  along  with  him. 
So  he  came  to  Bridget  to  ask  for  a  Spell  to  make  his  wife  love  him. 
Bridget  blessed  water  for  him  and  said,  '  Put  that  water  over  the 
house,  and  over  the  food,  and  over  the  drink  of  yourselves,  and 
over  the  bed  in  the  wife's  absence.'  When  he  had  done  thus  the 
wife  gave  exceeding  great  love  to  him,  so  that  she  could  not  keep 
apart  from  him,  even  on  one  side  of  the  house,  but  she  was  always 
at  one  of  his  hands.  He  went  one  day  on  a  journey,  and  left  the 
wife  asleep.  When  the  woman  awoke  she  rose  up  lightly,  and 
went  after  the  husband,  and  saw  him  afar  from  her,  with  an 
arm  ot  the  sea  between  them.  She  cried  out  to  her  husband,  and 
said  that  she  would  go  into  the  sea  unless  he  came  to  her." 

In  connection  with  the  Love  Charm  and  Philtre,  a  few  sentences 
may  be  devoted  to  Eolas  a'  Chomuis  already  mentioned.  I  have 
been  unable  to  obtain  this  Eolas  ;  but  it  may  be  stated  that  it  is 
referred  to  in  Pennant's  Tour  in  Scotland  in  1772  (Vol.  II.,  p.  265),. 
where  the  unsuccessful  lover  is  represented  as  revenging  himself  on 
his  rival  by  charms  potent  as  those  of  the  shepherd  Alphesibseus 
mentioned  by  Virgil.  "  Donald,"  we  are  told,  "  takes  three 
threads  of  different  lines,  and  ties  three  knots  on  each,  three  times 
imprecating  the  most  cruel  disappointments  on  the  nuptial  bed  ; 


Gaelic  Incantations.  Ill 

but  the  bridegroom,  to  avert  the  harm,  stands  at  the  altar  with  an 
untied  shoe,  and  puts  a  sixpence  beneath  his  foot." 

Stories  illustrative  of  Eolas  a'  Chomuis  are  numerous  through- 
out the  Highlands.  Our  Irish  cousins  have  stories  on  this  point 
akin  to  our  own.  The  belief  in  this  malific  Charm  still  exists. 
Those  who  profess  to  know  something  about  it  say  that  in  antici- 
pation of  a  marriage  where  it  is  intended  to  have  recourse  to  it, 
three  running  knots  are  prepared.  The  party  carrying  oat  the 
Charm  attends  the  marriage  service,  and  listens  intently  until  the 
priest  says  the  passage  in  the  ritual  commencing  "  Ego  te 
conjungo,"  &c.  Instantly  these  words  are  uttered  by  the  priest, 
the  "  charmer  "  pulls  both  ends  of  the  cord  and  makes  the  knot 
fast.  The  unlucky  bridegroom  never  regains  his  virility  until  the 
treble  knot  is  unloosed  ! 

A  somewhat  curious  parallel  to  our  Highland  and  Irish  stories 
is  told  in  the  part  of  the  Apocryphal  New  Testament  called  the 
"  First  Gospel  of  the  Infancy  of  Jesus."  I  cannot  do  better  than 
quote  the  opening  verses  of  Chapter  VII.  : — 

"  They  "  (i.e.,  the  Virgin  Mary  and  Jesus)  "  came  afterwards 
to  another  city,  and  had  a  mind  to  lodge  there. 

"  Accordingly  they  went  to  a  man's  house,  who  was  newly 
married,  but  by  the  influence  of  sorcerers  could  not  enjoy  his  wife. 

"  But  they  lodging  at  his  house  that  night,  the  man  was  freed 
of  his  disorder." 

I  will  now  give  you 

EOLAS    A'  CHEARTUIS — OR    CHARM    TO    OBTAIN    JUSTICE. 

This  Charm  or  Incantation  was  said  when  a  Highlander  went 
to  a  Court  of  Justice.  A  Gaelic  proverb  says,  "  Is  cam  's  is  direach 
an  lagh" — crooked  and  straight  is  the  law — implying  great 
uncertainty.  In  going  to  law,  the  litigant  presumably  believed  in 
the  equity  of  his  cause,  but  being  uncertain  as  to  the  result,  he 
appealed  to  the  Higher  Powers.  In  the  Incantation  here  given, 
we  have  the  picture  of  a  man  starting  from  his  house  to  measure 
swords  before  a  judge  with  a  neighbour — the  occupant  of  the  Baile 
ud  thall,  or  "  Yonder  Town."  On  leaving  his  house  the  litigant 
says — 

Falbhaidh  mise  'n  ainm  Dhia  [Dhe] 

An  rioehd  iaruinn  's  an  riochd  each  [eich], 

An  riochd  nathrach  's  an  riochd  feidh  ; 

'S  treise  rm-fhein  na  gach  neach. 

'S  dubh  dha  'n  bhail'  ud  thall, 

'S  dubh  dha  'n  bheil  ua  bhroinn  : — 


112  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

An  teanga  fo  m'  bhonn 

Gus  an  till  mi  'nail 

Mise  'n  eala  bhan 

'Nam  bhan-righinn  os  an  cionn. 

lonnlaididh  mi  m'  aodann, 

Mar  naoi  gathannan  greine, 

Mar  dh'ionnlaideas  Moire  a  Mac 

Le  bainne  bruich.1 

Meirc  air  mo  bhial — 

Seirc  na  m'  aodann  ; 

Bas  Mhoire  mu  m'  amhuich, 

Bas  Chriosda  mu  m'  aodainn, 

Teanga  Mathair  los'  a'  m'  cheann  ; 

Suil  a  Chui mirich2  eatorra, 

'S  bias  meala  air  gach  aon  nt* 

Their  mi  gu'n  tig  mi. 

Translated— 

I  go  forth  in  the  name  of  God  ; 

In  the  likeness  of  iron  ;  in  the  likeness  of  the  horse ; 

In  the  likeness  of  the  serpent ;  in  the  likeness  of  the 

deer; 

Stronger  am  I  than  each  one  [or  "  than  any  one  else"]. 
Black  to  yonder  town  ; 
And  black  to  those  who  res'de  therein ; 
[May]  Their  tongues  be  under  my  soles  [or  feet] 
Till  I  again  return. 
May  I  be  the  white  swan, 
As  a  queen  above  them. 
I  will  wash  my  face 

That  it  may  shine  like  the  nine  rays  of  the  sun, 
As  the  Virgin  Mary  washes  her  Son  with  boiled  milk. 
May  restraint  be  on  my  tongue, 
Love  on  my  countenance  ; 
The  palm  for  arm]  of  Mary  round  my  neck, 
The  palm  for  hand]  of  Christ  on  my  face, 
The  tongue  of  the  Mother  of  Jesus  in  my  mouth, 
The  eye  of  the  Protector  between  them ; 
And  may  the  taste  of  honey  be  of  every  word 

I  utter  till  I  return. 

1  According  to  the  Lives  of  the  Saints  in  the  Book  of  Lismore,  S t  Bridget 
H.S  an  infant  was  bathed  in  milk. 

2  Cuimreach,     s.M.  =  Assistant    (O'Reilly).      Cuimriche     (often     used)= 
Comairce,  protection. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  113 

Here  we  have  a  wonderful  combination  of  agencies  with  the  view 
of  attaining  a  successful  end — iron,  symbolic  of  hardness  and 
endurance  ;  the  horse,  of  strength  ;  the  serpent,  of  cunning ;  and 
the  deer,  of  swiftness.  Then  we  have  the  incantator  presented  to 
us  pure  and  queenly  as  the  white  swan,  with  loving  countenance, 
with  tongue  under  restraint  but  uttering  honeyed  words.  He  is 
under  i  he  guardianship  of  the  Virgin  and  her  Son. 

On  reaching  the  Court,  our  litigant,  with  his  right  foot  on  the 
threshold,  repeats  the  following  words  : — 

Gu'm  beannaicheadh  Dia  an  tigh 
Bho  'bhun  gu  'bhragh  [fhraigh]  ; 
M'  fhacal-sa  os  cionn  na  bhios  a  stigh, 
'S  am  facail-se  fo  m'  throidh. 

Translated — 

May  God  bless  this  house 

From  its  floor  to  its  ceiling ; 

May  my  word  be  above  all  those  within, 

And  their  words  under  my  foot. 

In  a  paper  on  "  Druidism,"  by  Mr  Macbain  in  the  Celtic 
Magazine  ( Vide  Vol.  VIIL,  p.  570],  we  have  a  reference  to  the 
serpent's  egg,  and  to  Pliny's  account  of  it.  "A  Roman  knight 
was  making  use  of  it  in  Court  to  gain  an  unfair  verdict,  and  for 
this  was  put  to  death  by  Claudius  the  Emperor."  Our  old  High- 
lander in  fiolas  a"  Cheartuis  or  Incantation  to  obtain  justice  stood 
somewhat  differently  from  the  Roman  knight  who  used  the  serpent's 
egg.  The  parallel  is,  however,  an  interesting  one. 

I  will  now  give  you  Eolas  na  Daire,  a  Charm  supposed  to  be 
efficacious  in  the  case  of  farrow  cows.  It  does  not  need  much 
introduction,  as  it  speaks  for  itself.  It  is  as  follows  : — 

EOLAS    NA    DAIRB. 

Eolas  na  daire  'rinn  Moire  's  a  Mac. 

'S  thubhairt  Criosda  fhein  gu'm  bu  ro-cheart, 

Air  a'  Chiad  Luan 

'Chur  a  chruidh  gu  luath  a  dhair, 

Gun  fharlaogh  J  'n  a  dheigh 

Ach  laoigh  bhreaca  bhoirionn  uile  gu  leir. 

1  The  word  "  Far-laogh  "  is  not  generally  known  on  the  mainland.  It 
signifies  extra-uterine  conception  —  a  freak  of  nature  which  is  fortunately 
uncommon. 

8 


114  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated— 

The  Charm  for  the  rutting  made  by  Mary  and  her  Son. 

Jesus  himself  said  it  \vas  right 

On  the  first  Monday  [at  the  beginning  of  the  moon  ?] 

To  send  the  cattle  quickly  to  the  bull ; 

And  that  no  extra-uterine  conception  should  follow, 

But  spotted  female  calves. 

In  some  districts,  instead  of  the  above,  the  people  say  Duan  an 
Domhnuick,  or  the  Ode  of  the  Dies  Dominica.  That  Ode  is  as 
follows  : — 

DUAN   AN    DOMHNUICH. 

Duan  an  Domhnuich,  a  Dhia  ghil,1 

Firinn  a's  neart  Criosda  g'ar^'comhnadh. 

Di-domhnuich  rugadh  Moire 

Mathair  Dhe  an  or-fhuilt  bhuidhe, 

Di-domhnuich  rugadh  Criosda 

Mar  onoir  dhuinne, 

Di-domhnuich  an  seachdamh  latha 

A  dh'  orduich  Criosda  dha-fhein, 

Gu  cumail  na  beatha-'mhairionnaich, 

'S  gu'n  leigeadh  iad  uile  'n  anail. 

Gun  fheum  a  thoirt  bho  dhamh  no  dhuine 

No  neach  a  dh'  orduich  Moire, 

Gun  sniomh  snath  sioda  no  sr61, 

Gun  fhuaigheal  na's  m6  ; 

Gun  chartadh  tighe,  gun  bhuain, 

Gun  athadh,  gun  mhuilionn, 

Gun  iomradh  airm,  gun  iasgaireachd, 

Gun  a  dhol  a  mach  dha  'n  t-seilg 

No  shnaigheadh  dheilgnean  Di-domhnuich. 

Ge  b'  e  chum  ad  h  an  Dornhnach 
Bu  chomhnard  dha-san,  's  bu  bhuan, 
Bho  dhol  fodha  na  greine  Di-sathuirn 
Gus  an  eireadh  i  Di-luain.  2 

Gheibheadh  e  fiach  dha  chionn 

i 

1  The  expression  "a  Dhia  ghil"  is  unusual  in  the  Highlands.     I  find  it  in 
the  Irish  song  "  The  Star  of  Kilkenny,"  by  Egan  O'  RahilJy  : — 

Ar  Phearla  6g  mnd,  uaisle  (a  Dhia  ghil  tabhair  buadh  dhi) 
An  chraobh  chubhra  is  uaisle  a  g-Cill-Chainnich. 

2  In  Shetland  the  period  from  sunset  on  Saturday  till  sunrise  on  Monday  is 
known  as  the  Hellie  or  Helzie,  i.e.,  the  holy  time. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  115 

'S  bhiodh  toradh  an  deigh  nan  crann, 

lasg  air  amhuinn  fior-ghlan  saile, 

Uisg'  an  Domhnuich  blath  mar  mhil ; 

Ge  b'  e  dh'  oladh  e  mar  dhibh 

Gbeibheadh  e  slainte  gun  cbron 

As  gach  galar  a  bhiodh  air. 

Gal  an  Domhnuich  gun  robh  luath, 

Bean  ga  pianadh  ri  an-uair, 

Guileamaid  moch  Di-luain, 

'S  na  guileamaid  idir  Di-domhnuich. 

Fiadh  an  Domhnuich  gun  robh  luath, 

Anns  an  linge  mar  a's  truagh 

Ged  thuiteadh  an  ruadh  cheann  deth 

Biodh  e  gu  Di-luain  'na  chadal. 

Aig  trath-nona  Di-luain 

Eiridh  am  fiadh  gu  ro-luath. 

'S  airson  an  dile  muigh 

Greis  a  thoirt  a  sgeula  mu  chumraidh  x 

Gun  eisdeachd  ri  gleadhraich  nan  Gall 

No  ri  sgeilearachd  coitchionnach. 

Ach  gart  a  ghleidheadh  air  cnoc  ard, 

'S  lighich  'thoirt  gu  galar  garg, 

/*  bo  a  thoirt  gu  tarb/i  treun 

Fada  no  fagus  gu'n  robh  cheum, 

'S  eathar  a  leigeadh  fo  breid-siuil 

Gu  tir  a  duthcha  bho  h-aineol. 

'S  ge  b'  e  mheomhraicheadh  mo  dhuan, 

'S  a  ghabhadh  i  gach  oidhch'  dha  shluagh, 

Bhiodh  rath  Mhicheil  air  a  cheann 

'S  a  chaoidh  cha  'n  fhaiceadh  e  Ifrinn. 

In  this  ode  we  have  a  rule  of  conduct  as  regards  the  Sabbath — 
general  directions  as  to  what  we  are  not  to  do,  and  a  list  of  what 
may  be  called  "  works  of  necessity  and  mercy  " — and  among  these 
there  is  the  permission  to  bring  a  cow  to  a  bull  (tarbh  treun),  no 
matter  how  far  the  distance.2 

1  Eedemption  (or  perhaps  comairce= protection). 

2  The  "  Yellow  Book  of  Lecan"  contains  Rules  regarding  Sunday  Observ- 
ances (Cain  Domnaig),  which  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  above.  "  The 
Cain  Domnaig  enjoins,  under  severe  penalties,  that  every  class  shall  abstain 
from  all  kinds  of  work  on  Sunday,  and  that  none  shall  travel  on  that  day  ; 
but  wherever  one  happens  to  be  on  Saturday  evening,  there  he  should  remain 
till  Monday  morning.  To  this  there  were  some  exceptions,  such  as  bringing  a 
physician  to  a  sick  person,  relieving  a  woman  in  labour,  saving  a  house  from 
tire,  &c."  (See  Irish  MS.  Series  Vol.  I.,  Part  I.,  page  196). 


116  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

An  old  man  in  the  parish  of  Ardnamurchan,  who  professes  to 
know  much  about  cattle,  informs  me  that  he  learned  a  different 
method  from  a  north  country  Aireach,  who  was  known  as 
"  Murchadh  nan  Gobhar."  He  does  not  believe  in  orrachan,  or 
Incantations.  I  describe  his  alleged  method  in  his  own  words, 
and  without  any  comment  of  mine  : — t4  Na'm  bitheadh  beathach 
6g  agam,"  he  said,  "  nach  bitheadh  a'  gabhail  an  tairbh,  so  mar  a 
chuirinn  a  dhair  i,  ach  cha  bu  toigh  learn  neach  eile  'bhi  coimhead 
orm  : — A'  chiad  bh6  a  chithinn  a'  dol  a  dhair,  sheasainn  ri  'taobh 
agus  cho  luath  's  a  sguireadh  an  tarbh  dhi  bhleoghnainn  i,  a's 
bheirinn  am  bainne — blath  as  a  h-ugh — do  'n  bheathach  6g. 
Chuirinn  an  sin  an  cu  ris  a'  bheathach  6g,  's  an  ceann  la  no  dha 
bhiodh  i  dhair  agam.  Is  iomadh  uair  a  rinn  mi  e  !" 

The  foregoing  may  appropriately  be  followed  by  an  Incantation 
which  was  said  when  a  cow  calved— 

RANN    AN    UAIR   A    BHEIREAS    MART    LAOGH. 

The  ceremony  was  after  this  fashion  : — The  dairymaid  sat 
beside  the  cow,  and  blowing  her  breath  through  her  hands  tDwards 
the  cow  repeated  this  Incantation  three  times  : — 

"  Mart  a  sid  air  breith,"  arsa  Peadar. 
"  Tha  mi  'faicinn  gu'm  beil,"  arsa  Pal. 
"  Mar  a  thuiteas  an  duilleach  o'n  chraoibh 
Gu'n  tuiteadh  a  sile  gu  lar." 

Translated — 

"  A  cow  newly  calved,"  said  St  Peter. 
"  I  observe  that,"  said  St  Paul. 
Both — "As  the  leaves  fall  from  the  tree 
May  her  milk  freely  flow." 

I  will  now  pass  from  Incantations  taken  by  themselves  to  the 
class  of  Charms  where  the  aid  of  Amulets  was  called  in,  and 
commence  with  the 

AIRNE    MOIRE,    OR   VIRGIN   MARY    NUT. 

This  nut  has  been  for  centuries  prized  in  the  Hebrides  as  an 
amulet  of  great  value.  Martin,  in  his  "  Western  Islands,"  men- 
tions several  of  the  virtues  it  was  believed  to  possess.  He  calls  it 
a  "Molluka  Bean."  Pennant  also  refers  to  it  as  a  native  of 
Jamaica,  carried  by  the  rivers  to  the  ocean,  and  thereafter  by 
winds  and  the  Gulf  Stream  to  the  Outer  Hebrides.  According  to 
Patrick  Neill,  this  nut,  which  is  washed  ashore  in  Orkney,  is  the 
seed  from  the  pod  of  the  Dolichos  Urens  of  Linnaeus.  (See  Tour  in 
Orkney  in  1806,  p.  60). 


Gaelic  Incantations.  117 

The  name  "Airne  Moire"  I  translate  as  "  The  Virgin  Mary 
Nut."  In  modern  Gaelic  we  have  airneag,  "the  sloe."  The 
word  also  occurs  in  old  and  modern  Irish,  and  Mr  Whitley 
Stokes  translates  ami  cumrae,  in  the  life  of  St  Bridget,  in  the 
Book  of  Lismore,  as  "sweet  sloes."1 

These  nuts  are  of  various  colours,  but  the  one  most  prized  has 
the  cross  indented  on  its  sides.  In  Wallace's  "  Orkney"  (1693) 
we  have  drawings  of  four  varieties  of  "  Molocco  Beans" — one  of 
them  having  the  indented  cross.  I  have  in  my  possession  one  of 
these  nuts  from  the  Hebrides  mounted  with  a  silver  cross.  It 
was  duly  blessed  by  a  cleric — Pears1  JKaglais — and  was  believed  to 
be  possessed  of  great  virtues.  It  used  to  be  worn  about  the  neck, 
just  as  the  scapular  is  worn  at  the  present  time  ;  and  every  one 
who  thus  carried  it  was  believed  to  be  under  the  special  protection 
of  the  Virgin  Mary.  She  guarded  him  from  evil  courses,  led  him 
on  the  right  path,  and  saved  him  from  various  calamities,  such, 
for  instance,  as  a  sudden  death — Bas  obann.2 

While  it  was  believed  to  afford  general  protection  as  above 
described,  it  was  specially  useful  in  the  case  of  women  in  travail ; 
and  the  belief  in  its  efficacy  is  not  yet  a  matter  of  the  past. 
There  is  a  tradition  in  Uist  that  on  one  occasion  the  Virgin  Mary 
and  Jesus  were  travelling  on  a  stormy  night.  They  came  to  a 
strange  house  for  shelter.  The  goodwife  of  the  house  was  kind 
and  gentle,  but  the  husband  was  churlish.  The  wife  gave  them 
quarters,  much  against  the  husband's  wishes.  During  the  night 
the  wife  was  seized  with  the  pains  of  labour.  Her  case  seemed  to 
be  a  critical  one,  and  the  assistance  of  the  guests  was  asked  for. 
Jesus,  observing  that  the  woman  was  in  great  danger,  said — 

Seall,  a  Mhoire,  a'  bhean 
'S  i  air  f6d  a'  bhais. 
Translated— 

Mary,  behold  the  woman 
In  the  throes  of  death. 

1  Batir  imda  ubla  7  arni  cumrae  isin  cill  hisin.     (Abundant  apples  and 
sweet  sloes  were  in  that  church). 

2  The  above  is  an  account  of  the  virtues  of  the  Airne  Moire  as  told  me  by 
an  Uist  crofter.     In  St  Patrick's  Hymn,  already  referred  to,  we  have  a  similar 
idea.     The  hymn,  we  are  told  in  the  prefatory  note,  is  a  "  Corslet  of  faith  for 
the  protection  of  body  and  soul  against  demons,  and  men,  and  vices.     Every 
one  who  shall  sing  it  every  day,  with  pious  meditation  on  God,  demons  shall 
not  stand  before  his  face  :  it  will  be  a  defence  to  him  against  every  poison  and 
envy  :  it  will  be  a  safeguard  to  him  against  sudden  death  :  it  will  be  a  corslet 
to  his  soul  after  his  death." 


118  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

The  Virgin  replied — Seall  fhein  oirre,  a  Mhic, 

'S  aim  orra  [air  do]  chomus  a  tha. 
Translated —  Son,  succour  her  Thyself, 
For  Thou  hast  the  power. 

Whereupon  Jesus  told  the  woman  in  travail  to  make  the  sign  of 
the  cross  three  times,  and 

A'  choinneal  a  lasadh, 
An  leanabh  a  bhaisteadh, 
'S  a'  bhean  a  bhi  slan. 
Translated— To  light  the  candle, 
To  baptise  the  child, 
And  that  she  [the  wife]  might  recover. 

The  foregoing  is  the  story  as  told  in  Uist ;  and  the  birth 
ceremony  as  now  practised  is  as  foUows : — The  woman  in  travail 
takes  the  Airne  Moire  in  her  right  hand,  and  repeats  the  Ave 
Maria  three  times.  Thereafter  the  midwife,  or  other  woman  in 
attendance,  takes  the  amulet,  and  with  it  makes  the  sign  of  the 
cross  on  the  sick  woman  (air  taobh  cearr  broinn  a'  bhoirionnaich 
fo  'n  imleig),1  at  the  same  time  repeating  the  dialogue  above  given, 
or  the  following  version  of  it : — 

"  Faic  a'  bhean,  a  Mhoire, 

'Si  aig  f6d  a  bhais." 

"  Seall  fhein  i  a  Mhic, 

'S  ami  agad  a  tha"  ['n  cumhachd]. 

"  Cuiribh  an  gin  air  an  lar, 

'S  fagaibh  slan  a'  bhean." 2 

1  In  connection  with  this  ceremony,  reference  may  be  made  to  one  of  the 
miracles  attributed  to  S.  Ciaran  of  Saighir.     Dioma,  Chief  of  Hy  Fiachrach, 
abducted  the  beauteous  and  holy  maiden,  Bruiuneach,  from  a  cell  near  the 
monastery,   and   made  her  his   wife.     The   Saint  applied  to  Dioma  for  the 
restoration  of  Bruinneach,  and  bis  request  was  in  the  end  complied  with.     She 
was  pregnant — a  circumstance  that  greatly  displeased  Ciaran.     Thereupon  he 
made  the  sign  of  the  holy  cross  on  her  body,  and  her  burden  vanished  !     The 
words  in  the  original  are: — "  Ba  thorrach  an  tan  sin  i  agus  nir  mhaith  le 
Ciaran  e\     Do  chuir  fioghair  na  croiche  cesta  ar  medhon  na  hingine  agus  do 
chuaid  an  toirrches  ar  nemhni."     (Vide  Silva  Gadelica,  Vol.  I.,  p.  5). 

2  Since  the  above  was  in  type,  Prof.  O'Growney  has  sent  me,  from  South- 
West  Cork,  a  Rann  to  be  said  for  a  woman  in  child-bed.     Some  of  the  phrases 
are  the  same  as  those  in  my  Uist  version.     It  is  as  follows  : — 

Crios  Mhuire  an  crios,  The  girdle  of  Mary  is  the  girdle, 

Crios  na  d-trf  gcros,  The  girdle  of  the  three  croases, 

Crios  gur  geineadh  Criost  ann  The  girdle  in  which  Christ  was  conceived, 

A's  go  rugadh  Criost  as.  And  out  of  which  Christ  was  born. 

Tar,  a  Mhuire,  a's  foir  an  bhean  ;  Come,  Mary,  and  relieve  the  woman  ; 

F6ir  fe"in  i,  'Mhic,  <5's  agat  a  tha,  Do  Thou  relieve  her,  O  Son,  since  with  Thee  it  is 

[i.e.,  the  power], 

Go  mbeireadh  an  baisde  air  an  ngein  So  that  baptism  may  overtake  the  child, 

A's  go  d-tigidh  an  bhean  slan.  And  the  woman  may  recover. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  119 

Translated— 

Jesus — "  Mary,  behold  the  woman 

In  the  throes  of  death." 
Mary — "  Succour  Thou  her,  0  Son, 

For  Thou  hast  the  power." 
Jesus — "  May  the  child  be  born, 

And  the  woman  again  be  well." 

Lady  Wilde,  in  her  "Ancient  Cures  of  Ireland,"  tells  us  that 
if  an  Irish  woman  is  in  great  danger  of  death  during  her  confine- 
ment, and  is  not  wearing  the  scapular,  she  must  be  invested  at 
once  ;  and  the  midwife  always  carries  one  with  her,  ready  for  the 
purpose  (page  71).  It  would  thus  appear  that  the  scapular  serves 
much  the  same  purpose  in  Ireland  that  the  Airne  Moire  does  in 
Uist. 

An  Incantation  somewhat  similar  to  the  one  above  given  is 
used  in  the  West  of  Ireland.  It  is  entitled  "  Ortha  Mhuire,"  or  a 
prayer  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  "  a  deirtear  do  mhnaibh  in  a  luighe 
seoil."  I  am  indebted  to  Professor  O'Growney,  who  received  it 
from  Mr  O'Faherty,  for  the  following  version,  of  it : — 

Dis  a  casadh  orm,  Cabhair  agus  Criost, 
Mar  rug  Anna  Muire,  a's  mar  rug  Muire  Criost, 
Mar  rug  Eilis  Eoin  Baisde  gan  dith  coise  116  laimh', 
Foir  air  an  bhean,  a  Mhic  !     F6ir  feiii  i,  a  Mhathair. 
0  is  tu  rug  an  Mac,  tabhair  an  ghein  o'n  g-cnaimh  • 
Agus  go  m-budh  slan  a  bheidheas  an  bhean. 

Translated — 

Two  persons  I  .met — Help  and  Christ : 

As  Anna  was  delivered  of  Mary,  and  Mary  of  Christ ; 

As  Elizabeth  was  delivered  of  John  the  Baptist,  wanting 

neither  foot  nor  hand  ; 

Relieve  the  woman,  0  Son  !  Relieve  her,  0  Mother ! 
As  it  was  you  who  brought  forth  the  Son,  take  the  offspring 

from  the  bone  [womb] ; 
And  may  the  woman  be  well. 

In  connection  with  the  matter  of  appeals  in  childbirth  to  the 
Virgin  Mary,  it  is  interesting  to  refer  to  the  case  of  Roderick 
Macleod,  the  St  Kilda  impostor,  described  by  Martin,  Buchan,  and 
others.  This  man,  we  are  told,  taught  the  women  of  St  Kilda  a 
devout  hymn,  which  he  called  the  Virgin  Mary's.  It  was  never 
delivered  in  public,  but  always  in  a  private  house  or  some  remote 


120  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

place,  where  no  eye  could  see  but  that  of  Heaven  ;  and  he  per- 
suaded the  innocent  women  that  it  was  of  such  merit  and  efficacy 
that  any  one  able  to  repeat  it  by  heart  would  not  die  in  child- 
bearing.  By  means  of  this  hymn  the  impostor  debauched  many 
of  the  women  !  He  was  paid  a  sheep  by  every  wife  who  learned 
it,  A  copy  of  this  hymn  would  be  interesting.  Will  any  member 
furnish  it  ? 

Appeals  to  the  Virgin  Mary  by  women  in  child-bed  appear  to 
have  been  universal  in  Christian  countries ;  and  we  have  an  inter- 
esting instance  of  it  in  "The  Lives  of  the  Saints  from  the  Book  of  Lis- 
more."  In  "  Sgel  an  da  leanabh,"  given  in  the  introduction,  we  have 
the  story  of  two  children — one  a  Jew  and  the  other  a  Christian — who 
lived  in  France.  The  Christian  child  induced  the  Jewish  child  to 
go  to  the  temple,  and  there  partake  of  consecrated  bread.  The 
Jewish  child  afterwards  informed  his  parents  what  had  happened. 
They  were  wroth  at  him,  and  flung  him  into  the  flames  [teined  ar 
derglasad]  to  burn  and  die.  He  was  left  there  till  burned  to 
ashes.  On  the  morrow  his  parents  found  him  as  if  in  sleep.  In 
response  to  their  enquiries,  the  child  replied  that  he  was  saved  by 
the  Virgin  Mary  ["  mathair  an  aird-rig  " — the  mother  of  the  high 
king],  and  that  he  was  to  be  a  fosterling  of  hers  thenceforward. 
The  parents  of  the  child  became  Christian.  "  Ocus  is  mor  in 
mhirbuil  do  Mhuire,  co  nach  fetaun  bean  iudaidi  tuismhedh  a 
leinimh  intan  bis  co  n-idhnuibh  no  gu  n-aitcheann  Muire" — (And 
[so]  great  is  this  miracle  of  Mary's,  that  no  Jewish  woman,  when 
she  is  in  birth  pangs,  can  bring  forth  her  child  until  she  entreats. 
Mary).1 

In  Skye  the  mid  wives  of  former  times  used  a  certain  herb  for 
the  same  purpose  as  the  Uist  women  use  the  Airne  Moire.  An  old 
Sgiathanach  recently  informed  me  that  his  mother,  who  was  a 
midwife,  invariably  used  the  herb  when  professionally  employed. 
When  in  attendance  on  a  woman  in  childbed  she  went  sun-wise 
round  the  patient,  carrying  the  herb,  and  repeating  certain  words. 
She  was  most  successful  as  a  sick-nurse.  "  No  woman  ever  died 

1  In  connection  with  this  subject,  reference  may  be  made  to  a  strange 
belief  that  prevailed  in  the  Highlands  till  recent  times.  Pennant  mentions  it 
in  his  Tour  in  Scotland  in  1772,  and  I  cannot  do  better  than  quote  his  words. 
After  referring  to  the  burning  of  witches  near  Langholm,  he  proceeds  : — 
"  This  reminds  me  of  a  very  singular  belief  that  prevailed  not  many  years  ago- 
in  these  parts  :  nothing  less  than  that  the  midwives  had  power  of  transferring 
part  of  the  primaeval  curse  bestowed  on  our  great  first  mother  from  the  good- 
wife  to  her  husband.  I  saw  the  reputed  offspring  of  such  a  labour,  who 
kindly  came  into  the  world  without  giving  her  mother  the  least  uneasiness, 
while  the  poor  husband  was  roaring  with  agony  in  his  uncouth  and  unnatura 
pains.— Vide  Vol.  II.,  p.  91. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  121 

in  her  hands,"  said  my  informant,  "  I  have  heard  of  cases  where 
the  child  was  dead  for  four  or  five  weeks,  but  my  mother,"  said 
he,  "  always  delivered  the  woman  in  safety."  She  was  equally 
successful  in  the  case  of  animals.  He  could  not  tell  me  the  name 
of  the  herb.  Perhaps  some  member  of  the  Society  can  throw 
further  light  on  the  subject. 

In  connection  with  the  Airne  Moire  as  an  amulet,  I  will  read  a 
few  lines  with  regard  to  St  Bridget,  from  which  we  see  that  the 
"  Mary  of  the  Gael"  was  also  regarded  as  a  great  protectress.  The 
title  is  "  Sloinneadh  Brighde,  muime  Chriosd" — "  The  Genealogy 
of  St  Bridget,  foster-mother  of  Christ."  The  lines,  which  I 
received  from  Father  Allan  Macdonald,  are  as  follows  : — 

Brighdhe  nighean  Dughaill  Duinn, 

'Ic  Aoidh,  'ic  Arta,  'ic  Cuinn. 

Gach  la  is  gach  oidhche 

Ni  mi  cuimhneachadh  air  sloinneadh  Brighde. 

Cha  mharbhar  mi, 

Cha  ghuinear  mi, 

Cha  ghonar  mi, 

Cha  mho  dh'  fhagas  Criosd  an  dearmad  mi  ; 

Cha  loisg  teine  gniomh  Shatain  mi ; 

'S  cha  bhath  uisge  no  saile  mi ; 

'S  mi  fo  chomraig  Naoimh  Moire 

'S  mo  chaomh  mhuime,  Brighde, 

Translated — 

St  Bridget,  the  daughter  of  Dughall  Donn, 

Son  of  Hugh,  son  of  Art,  son  of  Conn. 

Each  day  and  each  night 

I  will  meditate  on  the  genealogy  of  St  Bridget. 

[Whereby]  I  will  not  be  killed, 

I  will  not  be  wounded, 

I  will  not  be  bewitched  ; 

Neither  will  Christ  forsake  me  ; 

Satan's  fire  will  not  burn  me ; 

Neither  water  nor  sea  shall  drown  me  ; 

For  I  am  under  the  protection  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 

And  my  meek  and  gentle  foster-mother,  St  Bridget. 

Some  of  the  phrases  in  the  foregoing  have  a  singular  resemblance 
to  certain  lines  of  St  Patrick's  Hymn,  previously  mentioned.  In 
the  Irish  hymn  we  have  the  following :  — 

Crist  dommimdegail  indiu  arneim 
Arloscud  arbadud  arguin. 


122  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated — 

Christ  to  protect  me  to-day  against  poison, 
Against  burning,  against  drowning,  against  wound. 

The  Airne  Moire  in  Martin's  time  (circa  1695)  was  worn  round 
children's  necks  as  an  amulet  against  witchcraft,  &c.  The  white 
one,  he  tells  us,  was  particularly  prized.  I  show  you  a  specimen 
of  the  white  nut.  It  is  not  so  common  as  the  brown  one.  Martin 
says  that  if  evil  was  intended  the  nut  turned  black.  That  these 
nuts  did  change  colour,  he  says>  he  found  true  by  his  own  observa- 
tion, but  he  could  not  be  positive  as  to  the  cause.  He  then  goes 
on : — 

"Malcolm  Campbell,  steward  of  Harris,  told  me  that  some 
weeks  before  my  arrival  there,  all  his  cows  gave  blood  instead  of 
milk,  for  several  days  together.  One  *>f  the  neighbours  told  his 
wife  that  this  must  be  witchcraft,  and  it  would  be  easy  to  remove 
it,  if  she  would  but  take  the  white  nut,  called  the  Virgin  Mary's 
Nut,  and  lay  it  in  the  pail  into  which  she  was  to  milk  the  cows. 
This  advice  she  presently  followed  ;  and,  having  milked  one  cow 
into  the  pail  with  the  nut  in  it,  the  milk  was  all  blood,  and  the 
nut  charged  its  colour  into  dark  brown.  She  ur:ed  the  nut  again, 
and  all  the  cows  gave  pure  good  milk,  which  they  ascribe  to  the 
virtue  of  the  nut.  This  very  nut  Mr  Campbell  presented  me  with, 
and  I  still  keep  it  by  me."  (Vide  page  39). 

While  referring  to  the  Airne  Moire,  I  may  mention  another 
foreign  nut,  gathered  on  the  shores  of  the  outer  islands.  Martin 
says  that  the  kernel  of  this  nut,  beat  to  powder  and  drunk  in 
milk  or  aqua  vitce,  was  reckoned  a  good  cure  for  diarrhoea  and 
dysentery ;  and  the  Rev.  J.  Lane  Buchanan  states  that  during  his 
sojourn  in  the  Hebrides  (1782-1790),  after,  the  kernel  was  removed, 
the  shell  was  used  as  a  snuff-mull.  It  is  so  used  still,  and  I  exhibit 
a  specimen.  In  former  times  Hebridean  ladies  got  these  nuts 
mounted  with  silver,  and  used  them  as  vinaigrettes.  This  nut, 
according  to  Patrick  Neill  (Tour  in  Orkney  and  Shetland  in  1806), 
is  the  seed  from  the  great  pod  of  the  Mimosa  Scandens  of  Linnseus. 

Having  described  the  use  of  the  Airne  Moire  at  child  birth,  a 
Bathing  Charm  or  Blessing  may  now  be  given.  It  is  called 

EOLAS   AN    FHAILCIDH, 

or,  as  mainlanders  would  say,  Eolas  an  Fhairigidh.  The  water 
having  been  duly  blessed,  the  woman  bathing  the  infant  began  by 
sprinkling  a  palmful  (boiseag)  of  water  on  its  head.  As  the 
performance  went  on,  and  as  each  palmful  was  sprinkled  on  the 
child,  the  following  Incantation  was  repeated  : — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  123 

Boiseag  orr  th'aois  [air  t'aois], 

JS  boiseag  orr  th'fhas  [air  t'fhas], 

'S  air  do  chuid  a  ghabhail  ort, 

'S  a  chuid  nach  fhasadh  anns  an  oidhche  dhiot 

Gu'm  fasadh  anns  an  latha  dhiot 

Tri  baslaichean  na  Trianaid  Naoimh, 

Ga  d'  dhion  's  ga  d'  shabhaladh 

Bho  bheum  sul, 

'S  bho  chraos-fharmad  nam  peacach. 

Translated — 

A  palmful  of  water  on  your  age  [years], 

A  palmful  of  water  on  your  growth, 

And  on  your  taking  of  your  food  ; 

And  may  the  part  of  you  which  grows  not  during  the 

night 

Grow  during  the  day. 

Three  palmfuls  of  water  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
To  protect  and  guard  you 
From  the  effects  of  the  evil  eye, 
And  from  the  jealous  lust  of  sinners. 

While  dealing  with  amulets,  I  will  briefly  refer  to 

ACHLASAN  CHALUM-CHILLE, 

or,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  Seud-Clialum-Chille.  This  plant  is 
described  by  Lightfoot  in  his  "  Flora  Scotica  "  (p  416),  where  it  is 
given  as  St  John's  Wort,  Hypericum  Perforatum.  On  the  High- 
land mainland  the  plant  is  called  "  Lus-Eoin-Bhaiste."  It  is  also 
called  "  Ealabhuidh."  This  latter  word  is  mentioned  in  "  Miann 
a'  Bhaird  Aosda,"  a  poem  first  published  by  Ranald  Macdonald  of 
Eigg,  in  1776.  The  name  "  Ealabhuidh,"  however,  is  not  generally 
known  in  the  Highlands,  as  is  illustrated  by  the  fact  that  John 
Mackenzie,  in  the  "  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,"  considered  it 
necessary  to  explain  it  by  means  of  a  footnote.1  It  is  also  mentioned 
by  Donnchadh  Ban  in  "  Beinn-Dobhrainn  "  : — 

'S  aim  do'n  teachd-an-tir 

A  bha  s6ghar  lea' 
Sobhrach  's  eala-bhi 

'S  barra  neoineagan. 

The  word  is  /riven  in  O'Reilly's  Irish  Dictionary,  from  which  the 
inference  may  be  drawn  that  it  is  Irish.  The  plant,  according  to  the 

1  Vide  "  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,"  page  14. 


124  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

same  authority,  is  also  called  "  Alias- Mhuire."  It  is  noteworthy  that 
while  it  is  generally  named  after  St  John,  we  have  it  in  the 
Highlands  named  after  St  Columba,  and  in  Ireland  after  the 
Virgin  Mary. 

We  have  numerous  descriptions,  in  folk-lore  books,  of  the 
ceremonies  on  St  John's  Eve,  the  plucking  of  St  John's  Wort,  and 
the  foretelling  of  one's  destiny,  much  in  the  same  way  as  our 
Hallowe'en  observances.  Bassardus  Viscontinus,  an  old  writer, 
commends  that  plant,  gathered  on  a  Friday,  about  the  full  moon 
in  July,  and  worn  round  the  neck,  as  a  cure  for  melancholy,  and 
calculated  to  drive  away  all  fantastical  spirits.  (Vide  Burton's 
"  Anatomy  of  Melancholy  ").  A  German  poet  beautifully  describes 
the  ceremony  in  connection  with  this  plant,  in  lines  of  which  the 
following  are  a  translation  : — 

The  young  maid  stole  through  the  cottage  door, 
And  blushed  as  she  sought  the  plant  of  power  : — 
"  Thou  silver  glow-worm,  oh  lend  me  thy  light, 
I  must  gather  the  mystic  St  John's  Wort  to-night — 
The  wonderful  herb,  whose  leaf  will  decide 
If  the  coming  year  shall  make  me  a  bride." 

And  the  glow-worm  came, 

With  its  silvery  flame, 

And  sparkled  and  shone 

Through  the  night  of  St  John ; 
And  soon  has  the  young  maid  her  love-knot  tied. 

With  noiseless  tread, 

To  her  chamber  she  sped, 

Where  the  spectral  moon  her  white  beams  shed : — 
"  Bloom  here,  bloom  here,  thou  plant  of  power, 
To  deck  the  young  bride  in  her  bridal  hour !" 
But  it  drooped  its  head  that  plant  of  power, 
And  died  the  mute  death  of  the  voiceless  flower ; 
And  a  withered  wreath  on  the  ground  it  lay, 
More  meet  for  a  burial  than  a  bridal  day. 
And  when  a  year  was  passed  away, 
All  pale  on  her  bier  the  young  maid  lay  ; 

And  the  glow-worm  came, 

With  its  silvery  flame, 

And  sparkled  and  shone 

Through  the  night  of  St  John  ; 
And  they  closed  the  cold  grave  o'er  the  maid's  cold  clay~ 

— (Vide  Hone's  "Every  Day  Book,"  Vol.  L,  p.  427). 


Gaelic  Incantations.  125 

An  Uist  lady  described  Achlasan-Chalum-Chille  to  me  as  grow- 
ing in  out-of-the-way  corners  in  little  branches,  with  pretty  yellow 
flowers — "  Bithidh  e  'fas  'na  ghasan  agus  dithein  bhoidheach 
bhuidhe  air."  To  get  it  growing  on  the  hillside  at  a  time  when  it 
was  not  looked  for  was  considered  very  lucky,  for  prosperity  and 
success  followed  in  its  train — "  Bha  buaidh  ga  ruith."  When  it 
was  found  unsought  for,  the  following  Incantation  was  said  : — 

Achlasan-Chalum-Chille 
Gun  sireadh,  gun  iarraidh, 
Mo  niarrachd  1  a  gheibheadh  e. 
Buainidh  mise  duilleach  an  aigh, 
Mar  a  dh'  drduich  an  t-Ard-Bigh. 
Cha  'n  'eil  aite  'n  teid  e  suas 
Nach  buinnigteadh  leis  buaidh  a's  cis. 
Translated  — 

The  herb  of  St  Columba  [St  John's  Wort] 

Unsought-for,  unasked — 

Fortunate  is  he  who  would  get  it. 

I  will  cut  [or  pluck]  the  Foliage  of  Prosperity 

As  commanded  by  the  High  King. 

Wherever  it  is  put  up 

It  will  win  victory  and  command  homage. 

Another  version  of  the  Incantation  was  thus  : — 

Achlasan-C  h  alum-C  hille 

Gun  sireadh,  gun  iarraidh, 

Air  sliabh  chaorach  tha  mi  ga  d'  spionadh. 

Translated — 

St  Columba's  herb, 
Unsought-for  and  unasked — 
On  the  sheep  hills  I  pluck  thee. 

Another  version  was — 

Luibh  Chalum-Chille  gun  sireadh,  gun  iarraidh  ; 
'S  a  dheoin  Dia  cha  bhasaich  mi  nochd. 

1  Foinne  mu  'n  iadh  brbg 

Mo  niarrachd  bean  6g  air  am  bi ; 

Foinne  mu  'n  iadh  glaic, 

Mo  niarrachd  am  mac  air  am  bi. 

The  phrase  "Mo  niarrachd"   is  probably  equivalent  to  the  Old  Irish   "Mo 
n-genar  det-siu"  =  "  it  is  happy  for  you"— now  "  is  meunar  duit-se." 


126  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated— 

St  Columba's  herb  (or  wort)  unsought-for  and  unasked  ; 
And  please  God,  I  will  not  die  to-night. 

The  plant,  carried  about  the  person,  was  believed  to  act  as  a 
charm  or  protection  against  all  manner  of  evil  agencies.  Old 
persons  preserved  it  in  the  hope  that  their  cattle  and  sheep  would 
increase,  and  that  prosperity  :n  general  would  attend  them  ;  while 
school  children  carried  it  in  the  hope  of  protecting  themselves  from 
the  teacher's  tawse.  The  Eigg  schoolboy  who  loitered  on  the  road 
from  school  in  the  evening  was  satisfied  he  would  escape  parental 
reproof  if,  in  course  of  his  wanderings,  he  came  across  this  precious 
herb,  unsought-for.  On  thus  finding  it  he  said — 

Aohlasan-Chalum-Chille,  gun  sireadlf,  gun  iarraidh ; 
'S  a  dheoin  Dia  cha  ;n  fhaigli  mi  achmhasan  an  nochd. 

Translated — 

St  Columba's  herb,  unsought-for  and  unasked  ; 
And  please  God,  I  will  not  be  reproved  to-night ! 

Martin  mentions  the  Fuga  Doemonum,  a  term  which  I  may  trans- 
late "  Sgiursadh  nan  Deamhan."  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  the  plant  he  refers  to  is  St  John's  Wort.  He  says  : — 

"  John  Morrison,  who  lives  in  Bernera  of  Harris,  wears  the 
plant  called  Fuga  Dcemonum  sewed  in  the  neck  of  his  coat,  to 
prevent  his  seeing  of  visions,  and  says  he  never  saw  any  since  he 
first  carried  that  plant  about  him.  He  suffered  me  to  feel  the 
plant  in  the  neck  of  his  coat,  but  would  by  no  means  let  me  open 
the  seam,  though  I  offered  him  a  reward  to  let  me  do  it." — (Vide 
page  334). 

Like  St  John's  Wort,  the  four-leaved  Shamrock  was  believed 
to  be  possessed  of  many  virtues,  not  only  in  Ireland,  but  also  in 
the  Isle  of  Man  and  the  Scottish  Highlands.  When  found  with- 
out seeking,  it  was  considered  fortunate,  and  concerning  it  the 
following  lines  were  said  : — 

Seamrag  nan  duillean  's  nam  buadh, 
Bu  chaomh  learn  thu  bhi  fo  rn'  chluasaig 
}N  am  dhomh  cadal  na'm  shuain. 

Translated — 

Shamrock  of  leaves  and  virtues, 

I  would  wish  you  to  be  under  my  pillow 

On  my  falling  asleep. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  127 

TOIR    A    MACH    AN    TORAIDH. 

Every  Highlander  is  acquainted  with  the  belief  that  a  witch 
can  take  the  substance  out  of  her  neighbour's  milk.  The  same 
belief  is  common  throughout  Ireland.  The  idea  is  not 
peculiar  to  the  Celts,  however  ;  and  as  illustrating  the 
power  attributed  to  witches,  I  quote  two  counts  from  the  indict- 
ment charging  Marion  Pardown,  Hillswick,  Shetland,  1644,  with 
witchcraft.  (Vide  "Hibbert's  Shetland's,"  p.  282).  They  are  as 
follows  : — 

"  Item, — Ye  the  sd.  Marion  Pardown  ar  indyttit  and  accusit 
for  that  zeers  syne,  James  Halcro,  in  Hilldiswick,  having  a  cow 
that  ye  alledged  had  pushed  a  cow  of  yours,  ye  in  revenge  thereof, 
by  yr.  said  devilish  art  of  witchcraft,  made  the  sd.  James  his  cow, 
milk  nothing  but  blood,  whereas  your  awin  cow  had  no  harm  in 
her  milk  ;  whereupon  they  suspecting  you,  shewit  the  sd.  bloody 
milk  to  Marion  Kilti  your  servant,  quha  desyrit  of  you  the  same 
bloody  milk  for  Goddis  caus  to  shew  you,  and  said  she  houpit  the 
cow  sould  be  weil ;  quhilk  having  gotten,  and  coming  therewith 
to  your  hous,  and  shawring  it  to  you,  thereafter  the  cow  grew  weil, 
thairby  shewing  and  proving  your  sd.  devilish  practyce  of  the  art 
of  witchcraft. 

"  Item, — Ye,  the  said  Marion,  are  indyttit  and  accusit  for  that 
you  having,  a'no  1642  zeirs,  hyrit  ane  cow  from  Andrew  Smith, 
younger  in  Hildiswick,  which  ye  keepifc  frae  the  bull,  when  she 
wald  have  taken  bull,  and  the  sd.  Andro  getting  knowledge  thereof, 
causit  the  same  to  be  brought  to  the  bull  and  bullit  against  your 
will.  The  next  year  when  she  calved,  ye  by  your  sd.  devilish  art 
of  witchcraft,  took  away  her  proffeit  and  milk,  sa  that  she  milked 
nothing  but  water,  quhilk  stinked  and  tasted  of  sharn  a  long  tyme, 
till  that  you  comming  by  the  sd.  Andro  his  hous,  he  suspecting 
you,  caused  you  to  milk  her  and  look  to  her,  after  which  doing, 
immediately  the  sd.  cow's  milk  cam  to  its  own  nature, — thairby 
indicating  and  sewing  your  sd.  devilish,  and  wicked,  and  abbomin- 
able  airt  and  practyce  of  witchcraft, — and  quhilk  ye  cannot  deny." 

Poor  Marion  was  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be  burned  to 
death. 

In  the  Highlands,  similar  beliefs  as  to  the  powers  of  witches 
prevailed ;  and  our  Transactions  contain  an  interesting  paper  by  our 
friend  Mr  William  Mackay,  describing  the  burning  of  witches  in 
Strathglass.  The  Rev.  Robert  Kirk,  minister  of  Aberfoyle  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  gives  us  in  his  "  Secret  Commonwealth  of 
Elves,  Fauns,  and  Fairies,"  the  following  account  of  it  : — 


128  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

"  What  food  they  [the  Fairies]  extract  from  us  is  conveyed  to 
their  homes  by  secret  paths,  as  sume  skilfull  Women  do  the  Pith 
and  Milk  from  their  Neighbours  Cows  into  their  own  Chiese-hold 
thorow  a  Hair-tedder,  at  a  great  Distance,  by  Airt  Magic,  or  by 
drawing  a  spickot  fastened  to  a  Post,  which  will  bring  milk  as  farr 
of  as  a  bull  will  be  heard  to  roar.  The  Chiese  made  of  the 
remaineing  Milk  of  a  Cow  thus  strain'd  will  swim  in  Water  like  a 
cork.  The  method  they  take  to  recover  their  milk  is  a  bitter 
chyding  of  the  suspected  Inchanters,  charging  them  by  a  Counter 
Charme  to  give  them  back  their  own,  in  God,  or  their  Masters 
name.  But  a  little  of  the  Mother's  Dung  stroakit  on  the  Calves 
mouth  before  it  suck  any,  does  prevent  this  theft."  The  formula 
described  by  Isabella  Gowdie,  a  witch,  was  as  follows  : — "  We 
plait  the  rope  the  wrong  way,  in  th«»  Devil's  name,  and  we  draw 
the  tether  between  the  cow's  hind  feet,  and  out  betwixt  her 
forward  feet,  in  the  Devil's  name,  and  thereby  take  with  us  the 
cow's  milk." 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  mode  of  treatment  existed  in  the 
Western  Islands.  There  the  people,  by  means  of  herbs  and 
appeals  to  the  Trinity  and  the  Church,  hoped  to  ward  off  the 
powers  of  witchcraft.  For  this  purpose  a  favourite  plant  was 

MOTHAN,  OR  MOAN. 

I  do  not  find  the  name  of  this  herb  in  any  of  our  Gaelic 
dictionaries;  but  in  Lightfoot's  "Flora  Scotica,"  page  1131,  under 
the  heading  "Addition  of  Erse  and  Scotch  names  and  plants,"  we 
have  the  following  : — "  Pinguicula  vulgaris,  Moan,  Gaulis.  Steep- 
grass,  Earning-grass,  Scotis-austral" 

In  Uist  this  plant  was  believed  to  be  a  sure  protection  against 
the  powers  of  witches.  It  should  be  pulled  on  a  Sunday  in  this 
manner : — On  finding  a  place  where  it  grew  in  abundance, 
the  person  going  to  use  it  would  mark  out  three  small  tufts,  and 
calling  one  by  the  name  of  the  Father,  another  by  the  name  of 
the  Son,  and  the  third  by  the  name  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  would 
commence  pulling  the  tufts,  at  the  same  time  saying  : — 

Buainidh  mise  am  M6than, 

An  luibh  a  bheannaich  an  Domhnach  ; 

Fhad  'sa  ghleidheas  mise  am  Mdthan 

Cha  'n  'eil  e  beo  air  thalamh 

Gin  a  bheir  bainne  mo  bh6  bhuam. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  129 

Translated — 

I  will  pull  the  M6an, 
The  herb  blessed  by  the  Domhnach ; * 
So  long  as  I  preserve  the  M6an 
There  lives  not  on  earth 
One  who  will  take  my  cow's  milk  from  me. 

The  three  tufts  having  thus  been  pulled,  they  were  carefully  taken 
home,  rolled  up  in  a  small  piece  of  cloth,  and  concealed  in  some 
corner  of  the  dairy  or  milk-kist — "  ciste-a'-bhainne."  I  have  here 
a  specimen  of  the  Moan  which  was  in  actual  use  as  an  amulet. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  virtues  of  the  M6an  as  a  Fuga 
Dcemonum,  my  informant  narrated  a  story,  which  may  be  briefly 
given  here : — A  certain  woman  in  the  Western  Islands  was 
delivered  of  a  son.  As  usual  on  such  occasions,  there  was  a 
group  of  admiring  females  round  the  fire  attending  to  the  wants 
of  the  new  arrival.  While  thus  employed,  they  saw  a  shaggy 
little  creature — "  creutar  beag,  loireach  " — traddling  in  at  the 
door.  He  stood  bewildered  ;  and  in  an  instant  they  heard  a  voice 
without,  "  Nach  toir  thu  mach  e?" — (Will  you  not  bring  it  out?) 
The  "  creutar  loireach  "  responded,  "  Cha  toir  ;  cha  'n  urraiim  mi, 
's  bainne  na  M  a  dh'ith  am  Mothan  'na  bhroinn  " — (No,  I  cannot, 
for  the  milk  of  the  cow  that  ate  the  M6an  is  in  his  stomach).  The 
stranger,  who  was  believed  to  be  a  Fairy  anxious  to  "  lift "  the 
child  before  it  was  baptised,  then  vanished.2 

A  plant  called  "  Caoibhreachan  "  was  also  used  as  an  amulet  to 
protect  milk  from  witches.  It  was  believed  that  the  substance,  or 
"  Toradh,"  could  not  be  taken  out  of  milk  in  any  house  where  the 
"  Caoibhreachan "  was  kept  under  an  upturned  dish.  I  do  not 
find  this  plant  mentioned  in  our  Gaelic  dictionaries,  and  I  have  not 
been  able  to  get  a  specimen  of  it. 

In  this  connection,  I  may  give  Eolas  nan  Torranan.  I  quote 
it  from  Dr  Stewart's  "  'Twixt  Ben  Nevis  and  Glencoe."  Dr  Stewart 
got  it  from  Mr  A.  A.  Carmichael : — 

Buaineams'  thu,  a  thorrannain, 

Le  t'  uile  bheannachd  's  le  t'  uile  bhuaidh  ; 

Thainig  na  naoi  earrannan 

Le  buaidh  an  torrannain, 

Lamh  Bhrighde  learn  ! 

Tha  mi  nis  'gad  bhuain. 

1  i.e.,  the  Chu.ch. 

2  It  was  the  custom  at  one  time  iu  the  Island  of  Colonsay  to  put  an  old 
.shoe  to  burn  at  the  fireside  when  a  woman  was  in  travail,  in  order  to  keep 
away  the  fairies  that  were  always  ready  to  "lift"  an  infant. 


130  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Buaineams'  thu,  a  thorrannain, 

Le  d'  thoradh  inara  's  tire, 

Ri  lionadh  gun  traghadh 

Le  d'  laitnh-sa,  Bhrighde  mhin, 

Calum  naomh  'gam  sheoladh, 

Odhran  caomh  'gam  dhion, 

Is  Micheil  nan  steud  uaibhreach 

'Cur  buaidh  anns  an  ni. 

Tha  mo  lus  lurach  a  nis  air  a  bhuain. 
Translated— 

Let  me  pluck  thee,  Toraiinan  ! 

With  all  thy  blessedness  and  all  thy  virtue, 

The  nine  blessings  came  with  the  nine  parts, 

By  the  virtue  of  the  Torannan^j 

The  hand  of  St  Bride  with  me, 
I  am  now  to  pluck  thee. 

Let  me  pluck  thee,  Torannan  ! 

With  thine  increase  as  to  sea  and  land  ; 

With  the  flowing  tide  that  shall  know  no  ebbing, 

By  the  assistance  of  the  chaste  St  Bride, 

The  holy  St  Columba  directing  me, 

Gentle  Oran  protecting  me, 

And  St  Michael  of  high-crested  steeds 

Imparting  virtue  to  my  cattle, 

My  darling  plant  is  now  plucked. 

The  Kirk-Session  of  Kenmore,  in  Perthshire,  had  several  cases 
of  alleged  witchcraft  in  last  century.  From  the  Kirk-Session 
records  it  appears  that  Janet  Macintaggart  was  charged,  on  19th 
July,  1747,  with  "Charms  and  Inchantments,"  by  milking  three 
drops  from  her  neighbour's  sheep  as  a  charm  to  recover  the  substance 
of  the  milk.  Her  sister  Margaret  was  charged  with  going  into 
every  house  in  the  township  with  an  egg  shell  having  a  little  milk  in 
it  concealed  in  her  breast ;  and  being  asked  for  what  end  she  did  it, 
she  answered  that  "  she  heard  some  of  the  wives  of  the  town  say 
that  to  go  into  their  neighbour's  houses  with  an  egg  shell  after 
this  manner  was  an  effectual  charm  to  recover  the  substance  of 
their  milk  which  was  taken  away." 

THE    EVIL    EYE. 

The  belief  in  the  Evil  Eye  is  of  great  antiquity.     Virgil  says — 

"  Nescio  quis  teneros  oculus  miki  fascinat  agnos." 
"  It  must  be  that  some  evil  eye  bewitches  my  tender  lambs." 


Gaelic  Incantations.  131 

For  centuries  this  belief  has  prevailed  in  the  Highlands.  We 
are  often  told  that  the  Highlanders  are  superstitious,  and  in  that 
respect  far  behind  their  Lowland  neighbours.  It  may  not  be  amiss 
to  point  out  here  that  the  belief  in  the  Evil  Eye  has  prevailed  in 
all  countries,  and  prevails  even  in  civilised  Greece  to  the  present 
time.  Mr  Rennall  Rodd,  in  his  interesting  volume  on  the 
"  Customs  and  Lore  of  Modern  Greece,"  mentions  that  all  grades  of 
Grecian  society  believe  in  it.  So  much  is  this  the  case,  that  it  is 
acknowledged  by  the  Greek  Church,  which  has  prayers  against  its 
potency. 

The  Evil  Eye  was  believed  to  be  the  outcome  of  envy.  Admira- 
tion implied  envy  and  covetousness,  and  hence  when  one  praised  or 
admired  another,  whether  man  or  beast,  the  object  praised  was 
believed  to  be  liable  to  the  effects  of  the  Evil  Eye.1  Thus  when  a 
woman  admires  a  child,  she  frequently  says — "  Gu'm  beannaich  an 
Sealbh  thu  ;  cha  ghabh  mo  shuil  ort ; "  which  may  be  translated — 
"  God  bless  you,  my  eye  shall  not  punish  you  " — that  is  to  say  that 
the  child  should  not  become  a  victim  to  the  Evil  Eye. 

This  idea  also  prevails  in  Orkney  and  Shetland,  where  praise  of 
the  description  above  indicated  receives  the  name  "  Forespoken.'' 
If  one  says  to  a  child  "  He  is  a  bonnie  bairn ;"  or  "  Thoo  are  look- 
ing well  the  day,"  it  is  regarded  as  coming  from  an  "  ill  tongue," 
unless  the  expression  "God  save  the  bairn,"  or  some  such  blessing 
is  also  used.  When  one  was  "  Forespoken  "  the  cure  in  Orkney 
"was  "Forespoken  Water" — that  is  water  into  which  something  has 
been  dropped,  supposed  to  possess  magical  powers,  and  over  which 
an  Incantation  has  been  pronounced — probably  a  reminiscence 
of  Holy  Water.  The  articles  dropped  in  the  water  were, 
as  a  lule,  three  pebbles  of  different  colours  gathered  from 
the  sea  shore.  The  charm  was  considered  most  potent  when 
one  stone  was  jet  black,  another  white,  and  the  remaining  red,  blue, 
or  greenish.  An  Incantation  was  then  muttered  over  the  water, 
the  reciter  commencing  by  saying  the  word  "  Sain,"  and  at  the 
same  time  making  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 
The  Incantation  was  as  follows  : — 

In  the  name  of  Him  that  can  cure  or  kill, 
This  water  shall  cure  all  earthly  ill, 
Shall  cure  the  blood  and  flesh  and  bone, 
For  ilka  ane  there  is  a  stone  ; 

1  In  the  song  of  the  Kenlochewe  Bard  already  referred  to,  we  have  the  line — 
Buidseachd,  a's  draoidheachd  b'sfarmad. 
(Witchcraft,  sorcery,  and  envy.) 


132  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

May  she  fleg  all  trouble,  sickness,  pain, 
Cure  without  and  cure  within 
Cure  the  heart,  and  horn,  and  skin. 

The  patient  for  whom  the  "Forespoken  Water"  was  prepared  had 
to  drink  a  part  of  it ;  the  remainder  was  sprinkled  on  his  person » 
A  variant  of  the  Incantation  is  as  follows  : — 

Father,  Son,  Holy  Ghost, 

Bitten  sail  they  be 

Wha  have  bitten  thee  ! 

Care  to  their  near  vein, 

Until  thou  get'st  thy  health  again, 

Mend  thou  in  God's  name  ! 

The  Evil  Eye  might  be  described  as  of  a  two-fold  character.  It 
was  (first)  believed  to  be  the  outcome  of  fin  evil  disposition  on  the 
part  of  the  one  who  possessed  it;  and  (secondly)  many  were 
believed  to  be  possessed  of  this  unhappy  faculty,  though  at  the 
same  time  they  were  innocent  of  any  ill  design.  I  have  recently 
met  on  the  West  Coast  a  man  who  believed  that  he  himself 
had  the  Evil  Eye,  and  that  he  could  not  look  even  on  his  own 
cattle  and  admire  them  without  the  animals  suffering  from  the 
baneful  influence  !  In  Greece  the  most  popular  amulet  against 
fascination,  and  the  consequent  Evil  Eye,  is  garlic.  A  mother  or 
nurse  walking  out  with  her  children,  who  may  be  admired,  will  at 
once  exclaim  "  Skordon  "  (garlic).  The  ancients  seem  to  have  held 
that  a  power  which  grew  out  of  envy  was  best  thwarted  by  any- 
thing which  provoked  laughter.  Accordingly  amulets  of  an 
indelicate  character  were  worn  as  charms,  and  spitting  was  an  uni- 
versal remedy.  In  West  Connaught  recourse  is  had  to  spitting  at 
the  present  day.  The  person  suspected  of  possessing  the  Evil  Eye 
is  got  to  expectorate  on  the  person  "  over-looked."  Should  the 
suspected  person  decline,  an  effort  is  made  to  get  a  part  of  his 
underclothing  for  the  purpose  of  rubbing  the  "  overlooked  "  person 
with  it.  In  the  event  of  these  "  remedies "  proving  ineffectual 
recourse  is  had  to  a  process  called  Conlaoideacha.  According  to 
this  method  a  relative  of  the  •*  victim  "  takes  a  mug  and  proceeds 
with  it  to  a  certain  number  of  houses.  He  gets  every  member  of 
each  house  visited  to  spit  into  the  mug.  The  contents  are  taken 
home  and  the  "  overlooked  "  person  is  rubbed  therewith.  This  is 
believed  to  be  an  effectual  cure  ! 

In  the  Highlands  there  were  amulets  worn,  such  as  coins  and 
beads,  about  children's  necks ;  and  the  possessor  of  the  Evil  Eye 
was  given  something  as  an  antidote  to  his  envy.  If  a  neighbour 


Gaelic  Incantations.  133 

entered  when  a  woman  was  churning,  the  envious  eye  of  the  visitor 
might  affect  the  performance,  and  prevent  the  butter  from  coming  ! 
To  avert  such  a  calamity,  the  visitor  got  a  drink  out  of  the  churn. 
In  order  to  avoid  such  interruptions,  the  churning  was  usually 
made  after  bed-time,  when  the  dangers  of  interruption  from  with- 
out were  few. 

A  certain  preparation  of  water  was  one  of  the  prevailing 
remedies  when  either  man  or  beast  was  supposed  to  be  suffering 
from  the  Evil  Eye.  At  page  126  of  Vol.  VIII.  of  the  Gaelic 
Society's  Transactions,  I  gave  a  short  account  of  the  ceremony. 
According  to  the  description  then  given,  coins  of  gold,  silver,  and 
copper  were  put  into  a  basin  of  water.  The  person  performing 
the  Eolas  repeated  the  undernoted  words  over  the  dish,  at  the 
same  time  blowing  the  water  with  his  or  her  breath.  The  water 
was  then  sprinkled  on  the  person  supposed  to  be  suffering  from 
the  malady.  The  words  given  on  that  occasion  were — 

'S  i  'n  t-suil  a  chi, 

'S  e  'n  cridhe  a  smuainicheas, 

'S  i  'n  teanga  'labhras  ; 

'S  mise  'n  Triuir  gu  tilleadh  so  ortsa,  A.B. 

An  ainm  an  Athar,  a'  Mhic,  's  an  Spioraid  Naoimh. 

Translated — 

'Tis  the  eye  that  sees, 
'Tis  the  heart  that  thinks, 
'Tis  the  tongue  that  speaks  • 
I  am  the  Three  to  turn  this  off  you.1 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

So  much  by  way  of  introduction.  I  will  now  proceed  with  the 
mode  of  curing  the  sufferer  from  the  supposed  effects  of  the  Evil 
Eye,  as  the  same  is  practised  in  Uist.  In  the  first  place,  the  per- 
former goes  for  water,  and,  if  possible,  it  is  taken  from  a  burn 
across  which  the  living  pass,  and  over  which  the  bodies  of  the 
dead  are  from  time  to  time  carried.  Having  brought  the  water 
into  the  house,  he  repeats  the  Paidir  (Pater),  and  the  Creud  (Credo), 
He  then  takes  a  coin,  or  coins.  My  informant  was  not  very 
precise  as  to  the  use  of  the  three  metals,  as  stated  in  the  former 
description,  but  she  significantly  added,  "  Mar  is  treise  'n  t-airgiod 
's  ann  is  fhearr  e,"  meaning  that  the  more  valuable  the  coin,  the 
more  powerful  it  is  !  The  coin,  or  coins,  are  then,  in  the  name  of 

1  Here  the  name  of  the  afflicted  person  is  to  be  said. 


134  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  put  into  the  water.  Thereafter 
three  palmfuls  (tri  boiaeagan)  are  sprinkled,  in  the  name  of  the 
Trinity,  on  the  person  or  animal  suffering.  The  performer  then 
goes  with  the  dish  of  water  to  the  fireside,  and  sprinkles  three 
palmfuls  on  the  fire,  repeating  these  words  : — 

"  An  till  teine  farm  ad  1 
Tillidh  teine  farmad." 

("Will  fire  turn  envy  1 
Fire  will  turn  envy  "). 

The  remainder  of  the  water  is  then  taken  outside,  and  spilled  on 
a  flag,  or  rock — on  what  my  informant  called  "air  lie  dhilinn," 
that  is,  a  flag  or  rock  in  situ.  + 

At  the  present  day,  in  Perthshire,  a  similar  performance  is 
gone  through  when  a  tenant  finds  that  a  ram  of  his  flock  is  sick. 
The  practice,  doubtless,  has  its  origin  in  the  belief  that  such  sick- 
ness was  due  to  the  Evil  Eye.  The  ceremony  is  somewhat  similar 
to  that  described  in  the  first  charm  ;  and  it  was  considered  a  good 
sign  if  the  coin  adhered  to  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  containing  the 
water. 

A  version  I  received  from  Skye  a  few  years  ago  seems  simple. 
Three  coins — half  a  sovereign,  half  a  crown,  and  half  a  penny — 
were  put  into  the  water  ;  the  performer  knelt  011  his  right  knee, 
and  sprinkled  the  water  on  the  sufferer,  at  the  same  time  repeating 
the  following  Incantation  : — 

Chi  suil  thu : 

Labhraidh  bhil  thu ; 

Smuainichidh  cridhe  thu — 

An  Triuir  ga  do  dhion — 

An  t-Athair,  am  Mac,  'san  Spiorad  Naorah. 

(name  here) 
A  thoil-san  gu'n  robh  deanta.     Amen. 

Translated — 

Eye  will  see  you, 

Tongue  will  speak  of  you  ; 

Heart  will  think  of  you — 

The  Three  are  protecting  you— 

The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

A.  B. 
His  will  be  done.     Amen. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  135 

There  was  a  general  dread  of  the  Evil  Eye  among  old  Skyemen 
in  former  times.  As  an  antidote  against  it,  the  following  verse 
was  repeated  when  washing  in  the  morning  : — 

Gu'm  beannaicheadh  Dia  mo  shuil, 
'S  beannaichidh  mo  shuil  na  chi  : 
Beannaichidh  mise  mo  nabuidh, 
'S  beannaichidh  mo  nabuidh  mi. 

Translated — 

Let  God  bless  my  eye, 

And  my  eye  will  bless  all  I  see ; 

I  will  bless  my  neighbour, 

And  my  neighbour  will  bless  me. 

Another  Skye  remedy  was  the  sign  of  the  cross.  When  a 
person  believed  to  have  the  Evil  Eye,  or  to  be  unlucky  to  meet 
(droch  comhdh&laiche),  was  met  anywhere,  the  person  dreading  any 
evil  result  from  the  meeting  made  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  the 
ground,  between  himself  and  the  untoward  person.  This  practice 
prevailed  till  recent  times,  and  may  still  be  observed  by  old 
persons — a  very  significant  survival  of  Catholic  times  in  a  purely 
Protestant  district. 

Another  supposed  cure  for  the  Evil  Eye  was  "  Eolas  a' 
chronachaidh."  An  account  of  it  is  given  in  Mackenzie's 
"  Beauties,"  page  268,  where  it  is  stated  that  as  the  Incantation 
was  sung  a  bottle  of  water  was  being  filled,  and  the  performer  so 
modulated  his  voice  as  to  chime  with  the  gurgling  of  the  liquid  as 
it  poured  into  the  vessel.  The  Incantation,  as  given  in  the 
"  Beauties,"  is  as  follows  : — 

Deanamsa  dhutsa  eolas  air  suil, 

A  uchd  'Ille  Phadruig  Naoimh, 

Air  at  amhaich  is  stad  earbuill, 

Air  naoi  conair  's  air  naoi  connachair, 

'S  air  naoi  bean  seang  sithe, 

Air  suil  seana-ghille,  's  air  sealladh  seana-mhna  ; 

Mas  a  suil  fir  i,  i  lasadh  mar  bhigh, 

Mas  a  suil  mnath'  i,  i  bhi  dh'  easbhuidh  a  cich, 

Falcadair  fuar  agus  fuarachd  da  'fuil, 

Air  a  ni,  's  air  a  daoine, 

Air  a  crodh  's  air  a  caoraich  fein. 


136  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated — 

Let  me  perform  for  you  a  charm  for  the  evil  eye, 

From  the  breast  of  the  holy  Gil-Patrick  [St  Patrick], 

Against  swelling  of  neck  and  stoppage  of  bowels  [tail], 

Against  nine  "  Conair"  and  nine  "  Connachair," 

And  nine  slender  fairies, 

Against  an  old  bachelor's  eye  and  an  old  wife's  eye. 

If  a  man's  eye  may  it  flame  like  resin, 

If  a  woman's  eye  may  she  want  her  breast, 

A  cold  plunge  and  coldness  to  her  blood, 

And  to  her  stock,  to  her  men, 

To  her  cattle  and  her  sheep. 

I  have  already  referred  to  the  spitting  cure  as  practised  in 
Ireland.  I  am  indebted  to  Mr  D.  O'Faherty,  the  collector  and 
compiler  of  that  entertaining  volume,  "  Siamsa  an  Gheimhridh," 
for  the  followicg  Irish  incantation  against  the  Evil  Eye  : — 

An  Triur  a  chonnaic  me  agus  nar  bheannuigh  me" — 

An  t-suil,  an  croidhe,  agus  an  beul ; 

An  Triur  a  chuir  mise  do  mo  chosaint — 

An  t-Athair,  an  Mac,  agus  an  Spiorad  Naomh. 

Air  a  bha  beannach,  no  air  a  chaoraibh  lachtnach, 

Agus  mar  bh-fuil  rud  air  bith  eile  aige, 

Faoi  na  chroidhe  agus  faoi  'na  easnachaibh  fein, 

Uaimse  agus  6  gach  duine  bhaineas  Horn  fein. 

Translated — 

Three  who  saw  me  and  did  not  bless  me — 

The  eye,  the  heart,  and  the  mouth  ; 

The  Three  whom  I  placed  to  protect  me — 

The  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost. 

(May  the  effects  of  the  Evil  Eye  fall) 

On  his  horned  cattle,  on  his  dun  sheep  ; 

And  if  he  has  nothing  else  (may  he  feel  its  effects) 

Under  his  own  heart  and  under  his  own  ribs 

From  me  and  from  each  person  who  belongs  to  me. 

Mr  Leland,  in  his  "  Gypsy  Sorcery,"  makes  several  references 
to  the  Evil  Eye.  At  page  51  he  describes  the  Gypsy  ceremony 
against  the  influence  of  the  Evil  Eye,  and  as  it  is  somewhat  akin 
to  our  Highland  method,  I  may  briefly  repeat  it  here.  A  jar  is 
filled  with  water  from  a  stream,  and  it  must  be  taken  with,  not 
against  the  current.  In  it  are  placed  seven  coals,  seven  handfuls 


Gaelic  Incantations.  137 

of  meal,  and  seven  cloves  of  garlic,  all  of  which  are  put  on  the 
fire.  When  the  water  begins  to  boil,  it  is  stirred  with  a  three- 
forked  twig,  while  the  gypsy  repeats  a  rhyme  of  which  the 
following  is  a  translation  : — 

Evil  eyes  look  on  thee, 
May  they  here  extinguished  be, 
And  then  seven  ravens 
Pluck  out  the  evil  eyes. 
Evil  eyes  (now)  look  on  thee, 
May  they  soon  extinguished  be. 
Much  dust  in  the  eyes, 
Thence  may  they  become  blind. 
Evil  eyes  now  look  on  thee, 
May  they  soon  extinguished  be ; 
May  they  burn,  may  they  bum 
In  the  fire  of  God  ! 

It  is  pointed  out  that  the  seven  ravens  in  the  rhyme  are  pro- 
bably represented  by  the  seven  coals ;  while  the  three-pointed 
twig,  the  meal,  and  the  garlic,  symbolise  lightning. 

From  the  Evil  Eye  one  naturally  turns  to  what  is  called  in 
the  Outer  Hebrides, 

EOLAS    AN    T-SNAITHNEAN,    OR    THE    TRIPLE    THREADS. 

I  have  previously  pointed  out  that  Pennant,  in  his  Tour,  refers  to 
Virgil's  description  of  the  charms  used  by  the  shepherd  Alphesi- 
boeus,  arid  the  use  of  triple  threads  in  connection  with  these  : — 

"  Necte  tribus  nodis  ternos,  Amarylli,  color es  ; 

Necte,  Amarylli,  modo  et  '  Veneris*  die  '  vincula  necto.'" 

("  Twine  in  three  knots,  Amaryllis,  the  three  colours  ; 

Twine  them,  Amaryllis,  and  say,  'I  am  twining  the  bonds  of  love'"). 

Eolas  an  t-Snaithnean  is  simply  the  Charm  or  Incantation  of  the 
threads,  that  is,  the  triple  threads  ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  note  that 
the  triple  threads  of  Virgil  were  white,  rose  colour,  and  black. 
In  Virgil's  Ecologue  VIII.,  line  73,  we  have  a  clear  reference  to 
the  Eolas  of  the  triple  threads  : — 

"  Terna  tibi    hoec  primum   triplici  diver sa   colore 
Licia  circumdo." 

("These  three  threads  distinct  with  three  colours 
I  wind  round  thee  first  "), 

thus  proving  the  great  antiquity  of  this  charm.  It  is  still  very 
popular  in  the  Western  Islands,  and  is  used  as  a  Charm  against 


138  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  effects  of  the  Evil  Eye,  and  also  against  Witchcraft.     The  rite- 
observed  is  as  follows  : — 

First,    the   Paidir   or    Pater    is   said.      Then    the   following 
Incantation  : — 

Chi  suil  thu, 
Labhraidh  bial  thu  ; 
Smuainichidh  cridhe  thu. 
Tha  Fear  an  righthighe1 
Gad'  choisreagadh, 
An  t-Athair,  am  Mac,  's  an  Spiorad  Naomh. 

Ceathrar  a  rinn  do  chron — 

Fear  agus  bean, 

Gille  agus  nighean.  ^ 

Co  tha  gu  sin  a  thilleadh  1 
Tri  Pearsannan  na  Trianaid  ro-naomh, 
An  t-Athair,  am  Mac,  's  an  Spiorad  Naomh. 

Tha  mi  'cur  fianuis  gu  Moire,  agus  gu  Brighde, 
Ma  's  e  duine  rinn  do  chron, 
Le  droch  run, 
No  le  droch  shuil, 
No  le  droch  chridhe, 
Gu'm  bi  thusa,  (  )  gu  math 

Ri  linn  so  a  chur  mu  'n  cuairt  ort. 
An  ainm  an  Athar,  a'  Mhic,  's  an  Spioraid  Naoimh. 

Translated — 

An  eye  will  see  you, 
Tongue  will  speak  of  you, 
Heart  will  think  of  you, 
The  Man  of  Heaven 

Blesses  you 
The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

Four  caused  your  hurt— 

Man  and  wife, 

Young  man  and  maiden. 

Who  is  to  frustrate  that  ? 
The  three  Persons  of  the  most  Holy  Trinity, 
The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

1  Righ-theach  is  an  ordinary  word  for  Heaven  in  the  old  Irish  manuscripts.. 
2  Here  say  the  name  of  person  or  beast  to  be  cured. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  139- 

I  call  the  Virgin  Mary  and  St  Bridget  to  witness 

That  if  your  hurt  was  caused  by  man, 

Through  ill-will, 

Or  the  evil  eye, 

Or  a  wicked  heart, 
That  you  [A.B.]  may  be  whole, 
While  I  entwine  this  about  you. 
In  nomine  Pair  is,  &c. 

The  whole  of  the  foregoing  Incantation  is  recited  three  times,  and,, 
during  the  recital,  the  Snaithnean,  or  tri-coloured  triple  thread,  is 
entwined  about  the  beast's  tail  (am  bun  an  earbuilt)  with  triple 
knots.  If  the  beast  is  to  recover,  the  person  applying  the 
Snaithnean  feels  himself  or  herself  becoming  ill  !  If  the  first  recital 
does  not  prove  efficacious,  the  rite  may  be  performed  two  or  three 
times. 

Another  Eolas,  which  appears  to  be  an  abbreviation  of  the 
Snaithnean,  is 

EOLAS    FOIKBIGNIDH. 

It  may  be  used  for  man  or  bea^t,  with  or  without  the  Snaithnean,  in 
all  sorts  of  illnesses  of  a  sudden  nature,  and  is  much  in  request. 
It  is  as  follows  : — 

Ceathrar  a  laidheas  an  suil, 
Fear  a's  bean, 
Gille  agus  nighean, 
Triuir  ga  shodhadh  sin, 
An  t-Athair,  am  Mac,  's  an  Spiorad  Naomh. 

From  the  Evil  Eye  and  the  Snaithnean  one  naturally  turns  to 

THE    SI  AN,    OR    SBUN. 

Macalpine  defines  Seun  as  "  an  amulet  to  render  a  warrior 
invulnerable."  The  word  is  also  used  in  an  ecclesiastical  sense 
as  meaning  blessed,  or  sacred.  We  have  the  expression  "Am 
biadh  gun  sianadh  air  do  shiubhal,"  signifying  that  a  person 
had  partaken  of  food  without  blessing  it  or  saying  grace.  In  the 
song  of  the  Kenlochewe  Bard,  previously  referred  to,  we  have  the 
mother-in-law  presented  to  us  at  the  bed  of  the  young  couple  as 
"  Ga'n  sianadh  's  ga'n  teagasg  ;"  that  is,  blessing  them  and  teach- 
ing them.  The  Sian,  as  explained  by  Macalpine,  and  also  in  a 
more  elaborate  form  by  the  learned  authors  of  the  Highland 
Society's  Dictionary,  is  simply  a  protective  charm ;  and  it  is  of 
interest  to  note  that  the  belief  in  it  is  by  no  means  confined  to- 


140  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  Highlands.  In  the  work  by  Mr  Rennall  Rodd,  previously 
referred  to,  we  have  an  account  of  a  certain  Cretan  warrior  who, 
in  our  own  time,  pretended  to  be  invulnerable  in  virtue  of  a  medal 
of  St  Const  an  tine,  which  he  wore  suspended  round  his  neck. 
Twice  this  warrior  was  hit  without  being  wounded,  but  a  third 
time  he  received  a  serious  wound  in  the  neck.  This,  however,  did 
not  shake  his  confidence,  and  he  attributed  his  mischance  to  the 
fact  that  in  pursuance  of  a  vendetta  he  had  determined  in  his  own 
mind  to  take  the  life  of  a  fellow-Christian,  whereupon  the  saint 
had  withdrawn  his  protection.  This  reminds  one  of  the  legend 
that  the  Highland  warriors  who  were  under  a  sian  at  Culloden  had 
only  to  remove  their  plaids  and  shake  off  the  bullets  !  The  Clan- 
ranald  chief  who  was  killed  at  Sheriffmuir  was  believed  to  be 
"charmed"  or  under  a  protective  spejl  ;  and  an  Uist  tradition  has 
it  that  he  was  treacherously  killed  by  a  man  from  his  own  estates 
who  had  encountered  his  ire  for  some  misconduct,  and  who  joined 
his  opponents.  This  man  knew  that  his  chief  was  protected  by  a 
xian,  and,  putting  a  silver  coin  into  his  gun,  shot  him. 

The  sian  of  the  Clanranalds  was,  according  to  tradition,  a  piece 
of  the  club  moss  (Garbhag  an  t-sleibhe),  and  a  piece  of  the  caul  or 
currachd-rath  (Fortunatus's  cap).  These  were  put  into  the  pocket 
of  the  warrior  when  departing  for  battle,  either  by  a  virgin  or  an 
unmarried  man.  At  the  same  time  an  Incantation  of  some  kind 
was  gone  through.  With  regard  to  the  club  moss,  the  following- 
lines  were  said  : — 

Fhir  a  shiubhlas  gu  h-eutrom, 

Cha  'n  eagal  dhuit  beud  no  pudhar, 

'S  garbhag-an-t-sleibhe  bhi  air  do  shiubhal. 

I  was  not  able  to  find  the  Incantation  of  the  Sian  in  Uist,  but 
I  give  here  a  set  which  Mr  Macbain  obtained  from  one  of  his 
mainland  friends.  The  "  charmer"  and  his  protege  go  to  a  retired 
spot.  The  recipient  of  the  charm  there  goes  on  his  knees ;  the 
"  charmer"  lays  his  hand  on  the  other's  head  ;  and,  with  eyes  shut, 
utters  the  Incantation.  Going  round  him  sunwise,  or  Deiseal,  he 
repeats  these  words  twice  : — 

Sian  a  chuir  Moire  air  a  Mac  ort, 

Sian  roimh  mharbhadh,  sian  roimh  lot  ort, 

Sian  eadar  a'  chioch  's  a'  ghlun, 

Sian  eadar  a'  ghlun  's  a'  bhroit  [bhraghaid]  ort, 

Sian  nan  Tri  ann  an  Aon  ort, 

0  mhullach  do  chinn  gu  bonn  do  chois  ort. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  141 

Sian  seachd  paidir  a  h-aon  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paid?r  a  dha  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paidir  a  tri  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paidir  a  ceithir  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paidir  a  coig  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paidir  a  sia  ort, 

Sian  seachd  paidir  nan  seachd  paidir  dol  deiseal  ri 

deagh  uarach  ort,  ga  do  ghleidheadh  bho  bheud 

5s  bho  mhi-thapadh. 

Translated — 

The  charm  that  Mary  placed  on  her  Son  be  on  you, 

Charm  from  slaying,  charm  from  wounding, 

Charm  between  pap  and  knee, 

Charm  between  knee  and  breast  on  you, 

Charm  of  the  Three  in  One  on  you, 

From  top  of  head  to  sole  of  foot, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  once  on  you, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  twice  on  you, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  thrice  on  you, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  four  times  on  you, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  five  times  on  you, 

Charm  of  seven  paters  six  times  on  you, 

Charm  of  the  seven  paters  of  the  seven  paters  going 

sunwise  in  lucky  hour  on  you,  a-keeping  you 

from  harm  and  accident. 

Going  anti-sunwise,  or  tuaitlieal,  he  repeats  the  following  one  : — • 

Clogaid  na  slainte  mu  d'  cheann, 

Cearcall  a'  Chumhnaint  inn  d'  amhaich, 

Uchd-eididh  an  t-sagairt  mu  b'  bhroilleach; 

Ma  's  ruaig  bho  'n  taobh-chuil, 

Brogan  na  h-Oighe  ga  d'  ghiulan  gu  luafcli. 

Sian  nan  Tri  ann  an  Aon  ort, 

Bho  mhullach  do  chiim  gu  bonn  do  shall, 

Agus  sian  paidir  nan  seachd  paidir 

Dol  tuaitheal  is  deiseal,  deiseal  is  tuaitheal, 

Gu  d'  ghleidheadh  bho  d'  chul 

Bho  luaidhe  's  bho  chlaidheamh, 

Bho  lot  's  bho  mharbhadh, 

Gu  uair  a's  am  do  bhais. 


142  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated— 

The  helmet  of  salvation  about  your  head, 

The  ring  of  the  Covenant  about  your  neck, 

The  priest's  breastplate  about  your  breast ; 

If  it  be  rout  on  the  rear, 

The  shoes  of  the  Virgin  to  take  you  swiftly  away. 

Charm  of  the  Three  in  One  on  you 

From  crown  of  head  to  sole  of  foot, 

And  the  charm  of  the  pater  of  the  seven  paters 

A-going  anti-sunwise  and  sunwise,  sunwise  and  anti-sunwise, 

To  protect  you  from  behind, 

From  lead  and  from  sword, 

From  wound  and  from  slaying, 

Till  the  hour  and  time  of  your  death. 

The  Caul — Currachd-rath,  or,  as  it  is  frequently  called,  Cochull 
—is  a  membraneous  cap  in  which  the  head  of  a  child  is  sometimes 
enveloped  when  born.  Such  children  are  believed  to  be  the 
special  favourites  of  fortune.  In  addition  to  the  caul  being 
regarded  as  a  protective  charm  in  battle,  it  is  also  believed  to 
afford  protection  from  drowning,  and  is  looked  upon  as  an  article 
of  considerable  marketable  value  among  sailors.  The  belief  in  its 
efficacy  is  by  no  means  confined  to  the  Highlands  or  even  to 
Scotland.  The  French  in  Mauritius  attach  special  virtue  to  it, 
and  offer  it  for  sale  at  fancy  prices.  In  1835,  an  advertisement 
in  the  following  terms  appeared  in  the  Times  newspaper  : — "  A 
child's  caul  to  be  disposed  of,  a  well-known  preservative  against 
drowning,  «fec.  Price  10  guineas."  Mr  Moore  refers  to  this  super- 
stition in  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  states  that  a  caul  has  been  adver- 
tised for  sale  in  a  Liverpool  newspaper  in  1891.  Professor 
O'Growney  informs  me  that  advertisements  to  the  same  effect 
appeared  frequently  in  Irish  newspapers  till  about  ten  years  ago. 

In  connection  with  this  matter,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  the 
cowl  of  the  monk — Gaelic,  cochull ;  Latin,  cucuUus — was  also  used 
as  an  amulet  in  battle.  In  the  life  of  St  Columba,  in  the  Book  of 
Lismore,  we  are  told  that  Colnmcille  sained,  or  consecrated,  a  cowl 
for  the  warrior  Aed  Slaine,  and  said  that  he  (the  warrior)  would 
not  be  slain  so  long  as  that  cowl  should  be  on  him.  Aed  Slaine 
went  upon  a  raid.  He  forgot  his  cowl.  He  was  slain  on  that 
day.  Again,  in  Adamnan's  Life  of  Columba  (Book  II.,  ch.  25), 
mention  is  made  of  Findlugan  donning  the  Saint's  cowl  to  protect 
him  from  the  spear-thrusts  of  Manus  Dextera  !  St  Columba  is  said 
to  have  written  the  MS.  known  as  the  Cathach.  His  kindred,  the 
O'Donnells,  always  brought  i;  with  them  to  battle,  audit  was  their 


Gaelic  Incantations.  143 

custom  to  have  it  carried  three  times  round  their  army  before 
fighting,  in  the  belief  that  this  would  ensure  victory.  Hence  the 
name  Cathac/t,  or  Battle-book.  „ 

In  Ireland  an  Incantation  known  as  Marthainn  Pkadraic  serves 
the  purpose  of  the  Highland  Sian.  According  to  tradition,  St 
Patrick  recited  the  words  over  the  corpse  of  one  Aine,  and  stated 
that  any  one  hearing  it  would  escape  many  dangers.  The  language 
of  the  Marthainn  is  very  old  :  and  several  passages  have  crept  into 
it  which  are  very  obscure.  The  Irish  peasantry  attribute  great 
virtues  to  it,  and  are  very  anxious  to  have  it.  Irish  soldiers  in 
foreign  lands  have  been  known  to  send  for  it  in  the  belief  that  it 
would  preserve  them  from  being  shot.  For  the  following  version 
of  it  I  am  indebted  to  Mr  D.  O'Faherty,  editor  of  Siamsa  an 
Gheimhridh.  He  took  it  down  from  the  recitation  of  an  old  man 
named  Michael  Joyce  : — 

Olaoidhtear  seang  ;  feart  fial ;  Aine  'sa  g-cill  go  buan 

Go  buadh  na  g-craobh  nglaise  ;  sugh  na  geige-geire,  gile. 

Go  m-budh  subhach  suan  mise  agus  ingean  Aonghuis  Sailm  Ghlais, 

Gidh  nar  budh  ionann  duinn  run  creidimh 

Gaii  d'  ar  ngradh  againn  air  an  talari] h  acht  Aine. 

Beannachd  leis  an  anam  a  bhi  i  g-corp  Aine  ni  h-aille 

Agus  gach  neach  a  m-beidh  an  Mharthainn  seo  aige 

Beannachd  d'  ar  ngradh-ne. 

Is  aoibhinn  a  folt,  go  blath  nomi-bhuidhe,  '0  a  h-aghaidh  seimhe 

corcardha. 

AO-US  a  corp  a  bhi  seimh  cumhra. 
Beul  6  fath  focal  nior  facas  a  riamh  6  naire. 
Aine  6g  ni  h-aille  go  feart  a  claoidh  ! 
Nior  chualaidh  si  a  rianih  an  aithrighe  i  g-cruth,  6  ghuth  na  6 

chailidheachd. 
Fagamuid  na  buadha-so  mar  ar  n-aithne  ;  buadh  conganta,  buadh 

treise ; 

Buadh  feise  le  fionn  mnaibh;  buadh  dubhan  na  tri  righ  riaghalta  faoi 
Aine,  ni  bheidh  moran  cin  air  d'aithrighe  ma  eistir  le  comhradh — 
An  te  a  dearfadh  mo  laoidh  go  mear-bhinn  glan  uasal 
Rachfaidh  an  t-Aingeal  ar  neimh  leis  's  nior  bh'  eagal  do  High  an  • 

Uabhair. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  tri  theinntibh  na  h-Eireann 
Mar  's  iata  fosglochar  iad  eidir  chruadh  ghlais  agus  geibhinn. 
An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a'  dul  i  m-broid  na  i  bh-fiach 
Geobhfadh  se  riar  a  ghasdail  's  beidheadh  each  a  fosgailt  'sa  riar  air. 
An  te  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a'  dul  i  g-cath  no  i  g-cliathra 
Tiocfaidh  as  fo  'n  arm  gaisge  agus  a  fheoil  dearg  iata. 


144  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a'  dul  i  d-teach  an  oil 
Tiocfaidh  as  gan  gleo  anachain  na  trobloid. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a  dul  i  g-cinn  mna  moille 
Is  maith  an  turns  chum.  De  i  g-cinn  ceile  agus  cloinne. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a'  dul  i  g-cinn  mna  naoidhin 
Tiocfaidh  as  slan  meanmnach  gun  doilghe  6  na  saothar. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  a'  dul  i  luing  no  i  bh-fairge 
Tiocfaidh  as  gan  bathadh  tuinne  na  anachain. 

An  te  a  dearfadh  na  Marthainn-so  i  dul  i  dteach  nuadh 
An-marbhadh  ni  thiocfaidh  as  cho  'ad  a's  bheidheas  cleith  fo  dhioii 
air. 

Sgriobhta  leis   na   scolaraibh  go  feart  a  dtir  fior,  ar   feadh   an- 

domhain  uile  * 

Agus  go   feart  i   g-Cille  Claoidhte.     Neamh   ag   gach  neach   da 

meabhr6chaidh  i 
Agus  air  aon  neach  na  ceiltear  i. 

Mise  Padraic  na  bfeart  a  thainic  'mo  Ard-Easbog  go  h-Eirinn 
Mo  chiimaidh  ioltain  uasail,  chaill  mi  moran  de  mo  leargas. 

Mise  Padraic  pribhleideach  leighim  gach  uile  aithne ;  sin  buaidh 
aig  mo  Mharthainn  go  brath,  mar  ta  si  Sgriobhta  6  lainih  na 
scolaireadh  6  thuis  an  domhain,  6  feart  i  g-Cill  Claoin, 

(rur  bud  e  Marthainne  Phadraic  is  aium  di  i  nGaedhilige,  is  e  mo 
chreach  bhronach  gan  i  ag  gach  aon  neach  ;  agus  da  m-beidh- 
eadh  si  Sgriobhta  i  dtri  fearsfimm-deug  aige  bheurfa  d'  anam 
o  ifrionn  saor  leat.  Amen. 

From  the  concluding  line  it  is  obvious  the  Incantation  was 
originally  in  thirteen  verses.  My  informant,  however,  could  not 
supply  it  in  flowing  verse,  and  it  is  above  recorded  as  narrated  by 
.Joyce.  The  Gaelic  reader  will  be  able  to  read  and  understand  the 
most  of  it  without  difficulty.  It  may  be  added  that  there  are 
several  versions  of  this  Marthainn,  and  that  in  all  of  them  there 
are  phrases  not  understood  by  the  reciters  themselves.  Some  of 
the  constructions,  e.g.,  Go  =  With,  in  line  2,  have  been  obsolete  for 
upwards  of  a  century. 

I  will  next  briefly  refer  to  the  charm  called 

PATH    FITHE. 

In  Vol.  VIII.,  p.  127,  there  is  a  brief  description  of  the  Fath 
Fithe.  As  the  text  will  show,  this  charm  is  somewhat  compre- 
hensive in  its  character  : — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  145 

Fa'  fithe  cuiream  ort 
Bho  chu,  bho  chat, 
Bho  bho,  bho  each, 
Bho  dhuine,  bho  bhean, 
Bho  ghille,  bho  nighean, 
'S  bho  leanabh  beag, 
Gus  an  tig  mise  rithisd. 
An  ainm  an  Athar,  a'  Mhic,  7s  an  Spioraid  Naoimh. 

Translated— 

A  magic  cloud  I  put  on  thee, 
From  dog,  from  cat, 
From  cow,  from  horse, 
From  man,  from  woman, 
From  young  man,  from  maiden, 
And  from  little  child, 
Till  I  again  return. 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

The  Fath  Fithe,  according  to  tradition,  was  a  favourite  charm 
with  hunters,  for  it  enabled  them  to  make  physical  objects  invis- 
ible to  the  ordinary  eye.  They  could  come  from  the  forest  laden 
with  the  spoils  of  the  chase,  but  their  enemies  would  see  them 
not.  In  more  recent  times  it  was  believed  that  smugglers 
protected  themselves  in  this  way  from  the  most  vigilant  of  Excise 
officers.  It  is  to  be  feared,  however,  that  the  art  has  been  lost  ! 
The  expression  Fath  Fithe  is  now  seldom  heard ;  but  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  in  former  times  it  was  considered  a  protective 
charm  of  some  kind.  In  the  verses  from  the  Kenlochewe  Bard, 
already  referred  to,  the  word  is  used,  but  there  obviously  in  the 
sense  of  rosad  as  previously  described.  The  power  to  bring  about 
darkness  is  an  old  belief  among  the  Celts,  and  an  interesting 
instance  of  a  charm  used  in  this  connection  is  given  in  the  Book 
of  Lismore. 

In  the  life  of  Senan  (Book  of  Lismore)  we  are  told  of  a  wizard 
fDruidh)  who  went  to  the  King  (Mac  Tail)  saying  he  would  make 
a  charm  (sen)  to  Senan  the  Saint,  and  that  thereby  he  would 
either  die  or  leave  the  land.  The  King  was  glad  with  this ;  and 
the  wizard  went  to  Senan  and  "  sang  incantations  against  him  and 
said  'leave  the  land  with  this  spell.'"  The  saint  replied,  "  I  will 
resist  thy  spell ;"  and  he  prevailed.  Then  the  wizard  u  brought 
darkness  over  the  sun,  so  that  no  one  in  the  island  could  see  his 
comrade's  face."  Senan,  however,  charmed  the  darkness. 

10 


H6  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

In  that  case  we  have  the  wizard  using  his  charm  or  Sen,  and 
the  superior  powers  of  the  Church  getting  the  better  of  the  powers 
of  darkness.  Similarly  in  the  same  work  we  are  told  of  a  cloud  of 
darkness  enveloping  the  mother  of  St  Findchua  from  her  pursuers, 
and  thus  saving  herself  and  the  saint,  who  was  not  then  born, 
from  the  rapacity  of  an  enemy. 

Again,  the  Tuath  de  Dannan  were  credited  with  the  power  of 
raising  storms  and  causing  darkness.  When  the  invading  Mile- 
sians reached  Ireland,  the  Tuath  de  Dannan,  by  means  of  sorcery, 
enveloped  the  Island  in  mist,  and  hid  it  from  their  view.  A 
sorcerer  among  the  Milesians  directed  them  how  to  act,  and  they 
eventually  landed. 

The  Fath  Fithe  is  believed  to  be  equivalent  to  the  modern 
Irish  Feth  Fia  or  the  Faeth  Fiada  of  Old  Irish.  The  Hymn  of  St 
Patrick,  previously  referred  to,  is  cafled  "  Faeth  Fiada,"  or,  to  use 
the  language  of  the  original  text,  "  7  Faeth  Fiada  ahainm"  (and 
Faeth  Fiada  is  its  name).  In  modern  Irish  it  is  called  "  Luireach 
Phadruig,"  or,  St  Patrick's  Corslet ;  but  anciently  it  was  called  by 
this  name  and  the  name  Fiada  or  Feth-fiada,  as  we  gather  from 
the  following  passage  in  the  Tripartite  Life  of  the  Saint : — 

"  Tune  vir  sunctus  composuit  ilium  Hymnum  patrio  idiomate 
conscriptum,  qui  vulgo  Fetk-Fiadha,  et  ab  aliis  Lorica  Patricii 
appellatur;  et  in  summo  abinde  inter  Hibernos  habetur  prsetio  ; 
quia  creditur,  et  inulta  experientia  probatur,  pie  recitantes  ab 
imminentibus  animse  et  corporis  prseservare  periculis." 

Translated— 

"  Then  the  Holy  Man  composed  that  Hymn  in  his  native- 
speech,  which  is  commonly  called  Feth-fiadka,  and  by  others  the 
Breast-plate  or  Lorica  of  Patrick  ;  and  it  is  held  from  thence- 
forward among  the  Irish  in  the  highest  regard ;  because  it  is 
believed — and  proved  by  much  experience — to  preserve  those  that 
piously  recite  it  from  dangers  that  threaten  them  in  soul  and 
body." 

We  have  already  seen,  when  dealing  with  the  Airne  Moire, 
how  the  hymn  was  regarded  as  a  protective  charm;  and  we  are 
told  that  Patrick,  when  ambuscades  were  set  against  him  by 
Loegaire,  sang  it  in  order  to  shield  and  guard  himself  and  his 
clerics.  Patrick  and  his  followers  on  singing  this  hymn  seemed 
to  the  ambuscaders  to  be  wild  deer  with  a  fawn  after  them. 

I  have  stated  that  the  Fath  Fithe  charm  is  extensive  in  its 
scope.  I  subjoin  another,  equally  extensive,  from  the  Sister  Islev 
kindly  sent  me  by  Professor  O'Growney  : — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  147 

Ortha  a  chuir  Colum  Cille,  le  toil  Righ  Neimhe, 

Air  bheim  suil,  air  urchoid1  chnuic,  air  shealg  agus  ae  ; 

Leigheas  o  neimh  air  an  m-ball  dubh  ta  in  aice  an  chleibh, 

Air  an  leic  le  a  m-bogthar  na  h-easbaidh ; 

Le  grasa  Mhic  Mhuire,  a's  le  miorbhuille  Mhic  De 

Leigheas  na  colainne,  's  an  anal  a  bheith  reidh. 

Translated — 

A  prayer  which  Columcille   gave,  by  the  will  of  the  King  of 

Heaven, 
Against  the   Evil   Eye,  against  hurt  from  the   Fairies,  against 

spleen  and  liver ; 

A  cure  from  Heaven  for  the  black  spot  near  the  breast, 
For  the  flag  (?)  by  which  the  Evil  (King's  Evil)  is  softened, 
Through  the  favour  of  the  Son  of  Mary,  and  the  miracle  of  the 

Son  of  God 
A  cure  for  the  body  and  for  smoothness  of  breathing. 

THE    FAIRIES. 

"  Who  were  the  Fairies"  is  a  question  which  I  need  not  discuss, 
but  the  following  genealogy  of  them  is  interesting  : — 

Fairies  loq. — 

Cha  'n  ami  do  Shiol  Adhamh  sinn, 

'S  cha  'n  e  Abraham  ar  n-athair ; 

Ach  tha  sinn  de  mhuinntir  an  Athar  Uaibhrich,2 

Chaidh  fhuadach  a  mach  a  Flaitheas. 

Translated — 

We  are  not  of  the  seed  of  Adarn, 

And  Abraham  is  not  our  progenitor ; 

But  we  are  the  offspring  of  the  Haughty  Father, 

Who  out  of  Paradise  was  driven. 

I  need  not  here  dilate  on  the  wondrous  feats  attributed  to  the 
Fairies.  People  blessed  themselves,  and  prayed  the  Almighty  to 
protect  them  from  Fairies,  but  I  have  not  come  across  any  Anti- 

1  This  word,  although  not  in  common  use  in  Gaelic,  is  found  several  times 
in  Scripture,  and  in  rhymed  versions  of   the  Psalms.      It  is  used  by  Mac 
Mhaighstir  Alastair  in   the  song  entitled  "  Tinneas  na  h-urchaid,"  and  com- 
mencing 

"  Gu  bheil  tinneas  na  h-urchaid 
Air  feadh  Airdnamurchan." 

2  Compare  this  designation,  "  Athair  Uibhreach,"  with  "  Righ  an  Uabhair" 
in  Marthainn  Phadraic. 


148  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Fairy  charms  in  the   Highlands.     Here  is  one  from  the  West  of 
Ireland  : — 

Against  Fairy  Influence. 

Gabhamnid  le  n-a  g-coimirce, 

A's  diultamuid  da  n-imirte, 

A  g-cul  linn  's  a  n-aghaidh  uainn, 

As  ucht  phaise  's  bais  ar  Slanuightheora. 

Translated — 

We  accept  their  protection, 

We  repudiate  their  (evil)  tricks, 

(May)  their  back  (be)  to  us,  their  face  from  us 

Through  merit  of  the  passion  and  death  of  our  Saviour. 

Here  is  another  Anti-Fairy  Charm   sent  by  Mr  O'Faherty  from 
the  west  of  Connaught  :— 

Ortha  an  aghaidh  na  dajineadh  maithe. 

A  Mhic  De  a  g'-cluin  Tu  an  gleo l  so  chugainn  go  mor  san  ghleann. 
Cluinneann  a  Mhathair ;  na  bidheadh  eagla  ort. 
Go  sabhailidh  an  t-Athair  beannuighte  sinn, 
Go  m-budh  dun  daingean  an  dun  a  bh-fuilmid  ann. 
Go  m-budh  sluagh  dall  an  sluagh  seo  chugainn. 
O  !  a  losa  Criosta  agus  a  Mhaighdin  ghlormhor 
A  chidheas  ar  n-dochar  agus  ar  n-dioghbhail, 
Go  sgaraidh  tu  do  chochal  beannuighte  taruinn  ! 

Amen. 

Mr  Moore  in  his  Folklore  of  the  Isle  of  Man  gives  the  follow 
ing  Manx  Charm  against  the  Fairies : — 

A   Charm  against  the  Fairies. 

Shee  Yee  as  shee  ghooinney, 

Shee  Yee  er  Columb-Killey 

Er  dagh  uinnag,  er  dagh  ghorrys, 

Er  dagh  howl  joaill  stiagh  yn  Re-hollys. 

Er  kiare  corneillyn  y  thie 

Er  y  voayl  ta  mee  my  Ihie 

As  shee  Yee  orrym-pene. 

1  Tumult,  disturbance. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  149 


Translated — 


Peace  of  God  and  peace  of  man, 
Peace  of  God  011  Columb-Cille, 
On  each  window  and  each  door, 
On  every  hole  admitting  moonlight, 
On  the  four  corners  of  the  house, 
On  the  place  I  am  lying, 
And  peace  of  God  on  myself. 

I  now  pass  to  the  class  of  charms  intended  to  effect  cures,  and 
commence  with 

EOLAS  NA  RUAIDHE,  OR  BASH,  OR  ROSE. 

The  Ruaidhe  or  Rash  was  a  swelling  of  the  breast  of  a  woman 
or  the  udder  of  an  animal,  causing  retention  of  the  milk,  and  con- 
sequent pain.  There  are  various  charms  for  the  cure  of  this 
ailment.  I  will  begin  with  a  version  given  by  an  Uist  crofter. 
The  formula  was  thus : — The  performer,  in  the  first  place,  got  a 
small  round  stone,  and  rubbed  the  swelling  with  the  side  of  it 
which  was  next  the  ground.  At  the  same  time,  he  repeated  the 
following  Incantation  : — 

Seall  Thusa,  Chriosd, 
A'  chioch  so  's  i  air  at ; 
Innis  sin  do  Mhoire, 
O'n  's  i  rug  am  Mac. 
Ruaidhe  eadar  at  an, 
Fag  an  leabaidh  so  ; 
Thoir  leabaidh  eile  ort ; 
Cuir  am  bainne  anns  a'  chich, 
Cuir  an  Ruaidhe  anns  a'  chloich, 
'S  cuir  a'  chloich  anns  an  lar. 
Translated — 

Behold  Thou,  0  Christ, 

This  breast  and  it  [so]  swollen ; 

Tell  that  to  Mary— 

'Twas  she  who  bore  the  Son. 

Rash  between  swellings, 

Leave  this  bed  ; 

Betake  thyself  to  another  bed  ; 

Send  the  milk  from  the  breast ; 

Transmit  the  Rash  to  the  stone, 

And  (through)  the  stone  to  the  ground. 


150  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

The  idea  here  intended  to  be  conveyed  was  that  by  means  of 
the  Incantation  the  disease  was  transmitted  from  the  breast  to  the 
stone,  and  from  the  stone  to  the  ground.1  In  gypsy  sorcery, 
similar  examples  may  be  found  where  pain  is  sent  into  its  medical 
affinity,  and  so  on,  back  to  the  source  from  which  it  came. 

One  of  the  modes  of  curing  the  Ruaidhe  in  cattle  was  thus  : — 
Get  a  stone  from  a  March-burn — allt  criche — rub  the  swollen  teat 
with  the  same,  and  say  these  words  : — 

A  Chriosda,  leigheis  am  mart. 
Leigheis  fhein  i,  'Mhoire — 
'S  tu  rug  am  Mac. 
Gu'm  a  slan  an  t-ugh  ; 
'S  gu'm  a  crion  an  t-at ; 
'S  a  Ruaidhe  mhor  alar  iotar, 
Fag  an  t-aite  so  's  tair  as  ! 
Translated— 

0  Christ,  heal  the  Cow. 

Heal  thou  it,  0  Mary — 

Thou  brought'st  forth  the  Son. 

May  the  udder  be  healed  ; 

May  the  swelling  cease  ; 

And  thou  great  swollen  dry  Rash, 

Leave  this  place,  and  be  off. 

Another  method  for  curing  the  Ruaidhc  in  a  cow,  was  thus  : — 

A  burning  peat  was  taken  and  held  under  the  udder ;  the  teats 

•  were  squeezed  in  succession,  and  the  milk  allowed  to  drop  until  the 

peat  was  partially  extinguished.      The  smoke  caused  by  the  milk 

and  the  burning  peat  was  considered  medicinal.      As  the  cow  was 

being  thus  milked,  the  following  Incantation  was  said  : — 

Fhaic  thu,  Chriosd,  a'  chioch 
Gur  a  h-i  tha  goirt ; 
Innis  sin  do  Mhoire  mhin, 
Bho  'n  'si-fhein  a  rug  am  Mac. 
Gu  'm  bu  slan  a'  chioch, 
Gu  'm  bu  crion  an  t-at. 
Teich  !  teich  !  a  Ruaidhe  ! 

1  Professor  O'Growney  writes  me  that  the  mention  of  the  stone  iu  the 
above  formula  reminds  him  of  a  Donegal  phrase.  Tn  English,  when  describing 
some  calamity  we  would  avert  from  ourselves,  we  say  "  God  save  the  mark." 
In  Donegal  the  corresponding  Gaelic  is  "  A  shamhail  i  gcloich"— (May)  its 
like  (be)  in  a  stone. 


Gaelic  Incantations-  151 

Translated — 

Christ,  behold  the  teat — 

In  which  there  is  [great]  pain — 

Tell  that  to  gentle  Mary, 

For  she  brought  forth  the  Son. 

Whole  may  the  teat  be, 

Let  the  Rash  depart— 

Rash  !  away  !  away  ! ! 

The  following  is  an  Irish  charm  for  the  cure  of  the  Rash,  given 
me  by  Mr  O'Faherty  : — 

Ruadh  ramhar  cul  connaideach. 

D'  iarr  Colrn  Cille  de  Chathach  : 

Cia'rd  a  leigheasfas  an  Ruadh  1 

Nimh  a  chuir  air  g-cul  agus  an  t-at  a  chur  air  lar, 

Gan  de  bhrigh  's  an  Ruadh,  an  oiread  a  bheith  slan. 

Old  superstitions  have  a  wonderful  vitality.  Since  the  above 
was  written,  a  striking  illustration  of  the  belief  in  Charms  at  the 
present  day  came  under  my  notice.  According  to  the  Ulster 
Examiner  of  17th  December,  1892,  Owen  M'llmurray  was  indicted 
before  the  Ulster  Winter  Assizes,  for  that  he,  on  25th  July,  1892, 
feloniously  did  kill  and  slay  one  David  Archer,  Lurgaii.  Accord- 
ing to  the  evidence,  Archer  had  suffered  from  bronchitis  and 
erysipelas,  or  rose,  for  some  time,  and  was  attended  by  two 
doctors.  The  medical  treatment  did  not  appear  to  satisfy  Archer 
and  his  friends,  for  they  sent  for  M'llmurray,  who  was  a  noted 
"  Charmer"  in  the  district.  The  "  Charmer"  undid  the  bandages 
which  the  doctors  had  put  on  Archer's  leg,  and  rubbed  the  leg 
with  flour  and  butter.  "  While  doing  this  he  whispered  a  charm, 
which  witness  (Rebecca  Jane  Archer,  a  sister  of  the  deceased) 
could  not  hear."  "  Her  brother  (the  deceased)  asked  him 
(M'llmurray)  for  God's  sake  to  try  the  charm,  and  prisoner  said  he 
was  doing  it  in  God's  name."  Aicher,  however,  died,  and  the 
doctors  attributed  the  death  to  the  interference  with  the  medical 
treatment.  The  jury  disagreed,  and  the  prisoner  was  set  at 
liberty. 

THE    TOOTHACHE. 

I  will  now  briefly  deal  with  the  toothache  charm.  The 
formula  seems  to  be  the  same,  or  substantially  the  same,  in  all 
Christian  countries,  and  has  reference  to  St  Peter  sitting  on  a 
marble  stone  suffering  from  the  toothache,  and  the  .  Lord  passing 
by  and  healing  him.  The  words  of  this  charm  are  met  with  all 


152  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

over  the  Highlands,  but  strange  to  say  they  are  rarely  met  with 
in  Gaelic.  This  is  probably  owing  to  the  fact  that  few  old  High- 
landers can  write  Gaelic.  Even  in  the  districts  where  English  is 
practically  unknown  to  the  old  people,  one  gets  this  charm  in 
English.  In  Badenoch  it  is  called  Toisgeal l  and  formerly  it  was 
only  known  to  a  few  who  professed  to  cure  toothache.  The  words 
were  written  on  a  small  piece  of  paper,  the  paper  folded  up  and 
handed  to  the  sufferer,  who  was  not  on  any  account  to  open  it  up 
or  see  what  was  written  thereon.  It  wras  then  sewn  up  in  a  part 
of  one's  under-garments,  and  worn  till  it  crumbled  away.  So  long 
as  the  paper  lasted  the  person  enjoyed  immunity  from  toothache  ! 
If  the  sufferer  had  the  curiosity  to  read  the  formula  contrary  to 
the  direction  of  the  learned  "  Charmer/'  then  the  Toisgeal  lost  its 
virtue,  and  the  toothache  might  at  any  moment  return  ! 

As  already  stated,  the  formula  is  generally  met  with  in  English. 
Here  is  a  Gaelic  version  from  the  Island  of  Barra : — 

Shuidh  Peadar  air  Cloich  Mharbhail.  Thainig  Criosda  ga 
ionnsaidh  's  dh'  fhoighnich  e  dheth  l'de  'tha  'cur  ort  a  Pheadair?" 
Labhair  Peadar,  "  Mo  Thighearna  's  mo  Dhia,  tha  'n  Deideadh." 
Fhreagair  losa  's  thuirt  e,  "  Eirich  suas,  a  Pheadair,  's  bithidh  tu 
slan  ;  's  cha  tusa  sin  a  mhain  ach  duine  sam  bith  a  labhras  na 
briathraibh  so  na  m'  ainmsa  cha  'n  fhairich  e  ciod  e  'n  Deideadh. " 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  English  version  of  the  eolas 
copied  in  South  Uist.  It  may  be  taken  as  a  rough  translation  of 
the  above,  or  vice  versa  : — 

Peter  sat  upon  a  marble  stone  weeping.  Christ  came  by  and 
asked,  "  What  ails  thee."  Peter  answered  and  said,  "  My  Lord 
and  my  God,  my  tooth  toothache ;"  2  and  the  Lord  said  unto  him,. 
"  Rise  up,  Peter — not  for  you  alone,  but  all  who  will  carry  these 
lines  in  my  name  shall  never  feel  what  is  the  toothache.  In  the 
name  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost." 

A  Latin  version  of  the  above,  from  the  Maclagan  MS.,  was 
published  by  Mr  Macbain  in  the  Highland  Monthly  (Vol.  III., 
292).  As  it  is  substantially  the  same  as  the  above,  I  annex  it 
here  :— 

1  Toisgeal  is  obviously  a  corruption  of  the  word  soisyeal,  a  gospel. 
According  to  Croker  (Fairy  Legends,  p.  360),  "  a  '  gospel'  is  a  text  of  Scripture 
written  in  a  peculiar  manner,  and  which  has  been  blessed  by  a  priest.  It  is 
sewed  in  red  cloth,  and  hung  round  the  neck  as  a  cure  or  preventive  agaiusfc 
various  diseases." 

2  i.e.,  My  tooth  is  aching. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  153 

"  Petrus  sedit  ex  marmorum  lapis  Dominus  Noster  venit  et 
Dixit  petrus  quid  te  gravit,  petrus  respondit  dominus  Meus  Caput 
et  Dentes  meos  vexant  me  Dominus  Noster  Dicat  surge  petras 
salva  tu  non  solum  tu  sed  etiam  omnia  qui  teneant  haec  mea  dicta 
per  virtutem  De  haec  verbis  Dominus  Noster  et  in  ejus  Nomine 
Dice  tuus  pestis  non  moleste  te  Detri — Minius  Pratrus." 

Here  is  an  Irish  version  of  the  Toothache  Charm,  or,  as  it  is 
called,  Ortka  an  diaidh-fhiacal : — 

Chuidh  Peadar  go  sruth  for-lan. 
Thainic  Chriost  os  a  Chionn, 
"  Cia'rd  sin  ort,  a  Pheadair  ?" 
"  0  !  m'  fhiacail  ata  thin." 
"  Eirigh,  a  Pheadair,  a's  bi  slan, 
Ni  tusa  acht  feara  Fail." 

Aon  duine  a  gheillfeas  na  a  dearfadh  an  ortha, 
Ni  beidheadh  i  n-diaigh  na  h-ortha  diaidh  in  aon  deud  amhain. 
An  ainm  an  Athar  agus  an  Mhic  agus  an  Spioraid  Naoimh. 
Amen. 

Translated — 

St  Peter  went  to  a  full  running  stream  ; 

Christ  went  to  meet  him,  and  said, 

"  What  ails  thee,  Peter  ?' 

"  0  !  my  tooth  doth  ache." 

"Arise,  Peter,  and  be  well — 

Not  you  alone,  but  also  the  men  of  Innisfail." 

Any  believing  in  or  saying  this  Incantation 
Will  not  have  toothache  thereafter  in  even  one  tooth. 
In  nomine  Patris,  &c.     Amen. 

The  Irish  peasant  of  Connemara  has  his  English  version  of  the 
Toothache  Charm.  The  following  is  from  Galway  : — 

Peter  sat  upon  a  marble  stone, 
And  unto  God  he  made  his  moan. 
Christ  came  by,  and  asked  "  What's  the  matter  V 
"  0  !  my  Lord  God,  a  toothache." 
**  Rise  up,  Peter,  and  not  you  alone, 
But  every  one  who  believes  in  this  charm 
Shall  never  be  troubled  with  a  toothache." 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  &c. 


154 


Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 


In  Orkney  the  following  variant  of  the  Incantation,  and 
called  "  Wormie  Lines  " — "  the  worm  "  (the  equivalent  of  our 
Gaelic  cnuimti)  being  an  Orkney  name  for  toothache — is  used  : — 

Peter  sat  weeping  on  a  stone ; 
Christ  went  by  saying  "  Why  dost  thou  moan." 
Peter  said,  "  My  tooth  doth  ache  so  sore." 
Christ  said,  "  He  shall  trouble  thee  no  more — 
From  tooth  and  yackel  worm  shall  flee, 
And  never  more  shall  trouble  thee." 

These  lines  were  written  on  a  slip  of  paper  and  worn  on  the  person. 

I  lately  noted,  from  the  recitation  of  an  Eigg  crofter,  a  Tooth- 
ache Charm,  which  has  a  certain  resemblance  to  the  Irish  one 
above  given.  It  is  as  follows  : —  ^ 

Labhair  Calum-Cille  nan  Orth' 

Ann  an  ordag  dheas  mo  High  — 

Air  chimimh,  air  dheidh,  air  dheideadh — 

Air  dheideadh  a'  ghalar-chinn. 

Labhair  Peadair  ri  Seumas — 

"  Cha  choisich,  cha  mharcaich, 

Cha  teid  mi 

Leis  an  deideadh  a  tha  m'  cheann." 

Labhair  Criosda  ris  na  h-Ostail — 

"  Cha  bhi  'n  deideadh  is  an  Rann-s' 

'S  an  aona  cheann." 
Translated — 

Columba  of  the  Incantations 

Spoke  in  the  right  thumb  of  my  King — 

On  worm,  on  ache,  on  toothache — 

On  toothache,  the  head-disease. 

Peter  spoke  unto  James— 

"  I'll  walk  not,  I'll  ride  not, 

I'll  move  not 

Through  the  toothache  in  my  head." 

Jesus  said  to  the  Apostles — 

"  Toothache  and  this  Incantation 

Will  not  exist  together  in  the  same  head." 

Mr  Moore  does  not  s;ive  a  Manx  version  of  the  Charm.  He, 
however,  gives  the  following  formula,  wrhich  was  to  be  used  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  Toisgeal : — 

Saint  Peter  was  ordained  a  saint 

Standing  on  a  marble  stone, 

Jesus  came  to  him  alone — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  155 

And  saith  unto  him,  "  Peter,  what  makes  thee  shake  ?" 
Peter  replied,    ''  My   Lord   and  Master,   it  is  the  toothache." 
Jesus  said,  "  Rise  up  and  be  healed,  and  keep  these  words  for  my 
sake,  and  thou  shall  never  more  be  troubled  with  toothache." 

At  the  base  of  Ben  Marival,  in  North  Uist,  there  is  a  well, 
locally  known  by  the  name  of  Tobar-Chuithiridh,  which  is  believed 
to  cure  toothache.  Sufferers  from  this  ailment  still  frequent  the 
lonely  well,  and,  according  to  ancient  custom,  leave  offerings.  On 
bended  knees  they  drink  the  water,  repeating  the  following 
words : — 

"  Tha  mise  a'  cromadh  sios  an  ainm  an  Athar,  a'  Mhic,  's  an 
Spioraid  Naoimh  ;  's  a  dol  a  dh'  fhagail  cradh  mo  chinn  anns  an 
tobar  nach  traogh  a  chaoidh.  Amen." 

Translated — 

I  bend  down,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  ; 
and  I  am  to  leave  the  torments  of  my  head  in  the  well,  which 
never  will  run  dry." 

Certain  wells  in  Knoydart  are  believed  to  possess  toothache 
cures.  Pilgrimages  are  made  to  them,  and  offerings  left  at  them, 
as  in  the  case  of  Tobar-Chuithiridh. 

I  conclude  with  a  Shetlandic  Toothache  Charm.  In  its  style 
it  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  one  of  the  Charms  against  the 
rash  above  given.  It  is  as  follows  : — 

A  Finn  came  ovv'r  from  Norraway 1 
Fir  ta  pit  toot'ache  away — 
Oot  o'  da  flesh  an'  oot  o'  da  bane, 
Got  o'  da  sinew  an'  oot  o'  da  skane, 
Got  o'  da  skane  an'  into  da  stane, 
An'  dere  may  du  remain  ! 
An'  dere  may  du  remain  ! ! 
An'  dere  may  du  remain  !  !  ! 

At  page  124  of  Vol.  VIII.  cf  the  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic 
Society,  I  gave  an  account  of 

1  Mr  W.  T.  Dennison  informs  me  that  this  Incantation  was  also  common 
in  Orkney,  but  beginning  thus— 

T'ree  Finnmen  cam'  fae  der  heem  i'  de  sea, 
Fae  de  weary  worm  de  folk  tae  free, 
An'  dey  s'all  be  paid  wi'  de  white  monie  ! 


156  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

BOLAS    NA   SEILG,    OR   THE   SPLEEN, 

as  I  wrote  it  down  from  the  recital  of  a  Lochbroom  woman  some 
25  years  ago.  I  will  now  lay  before  you  the  story  of  this  Eolas, 
as  I  recently  heard  it  in  the  Outer  Hebrides  : — "  One  night,"  said 
my  informant,  "  Jesus  and  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  came  to  a 
house  among  the  hills  to  escape  persecution.  The  good-wife  gave 
them  food.  Darkness  was  coming  on,  and  the  Virgin  Mary  pro- 
posed that  they  should  stay  there  all  night.  The  good-wife 
(Bean-an-tighe)  replied  that  she  could  not  give  them  shelter  as  her 
husband  was  inhospitable,  and  would  be  angry  if  he  found  any 
strangers  under  his  roof.  The  Blessed  Virgin  asked  to  be  favoured 
with  any  quiet  corner  till  morning,  and  the  good-wife  consented. 
Jesus  and  the  Virgin  (losa  's  Moire  'Mhathair)  were  permitted  to 
lie  on  some  chaff  which  was  in  a  corner,  and  the  good-wife  put 
a  covering  over  them.  The  good-man  came  home  at  night- 
fall, partook  of  food,  and  went  to  bed.  During  the  night  he  was 
seized  with  a  violent  pain  in  his  side.  His  life  being  despaired  of 
by  his  wife,  she  called  in  the  assistance  of  the  visitors  (and  as  my 
informant  pathetically  added  "  Bu  mhath  iad  a  bhi  ann").  Christ 
then  came  to  the  assistance  of  the  sick  man,  saying  "  Leighisidh 
mise  thu — 's  e  greim  na  seilge  'th'  ort."  ("  I  will  heal  you — you 
suffer  from  the  stitch  or  spleen  or  bowel  seizure'  "),  Jesus  then 


Bean  shoirbh. 

'S  fear  doirbh  ; 

Criosd  'na  laidhe  air  a'  chalg, 

Caisgidh  e  dhiot  an  t-sealg. 

Translated — 

A  gentle  wife, 

A  churlish  husband ; 

Christ  lying  on  the  awns  [of  corn], 

That  will  stop  the  sealg  [colic  or  spleen]. 

Another  Uist  version  is — 

Bean  fhial,  's  duine  borb, 
Criosd  'na  laidhe  air  a'  chalg — 
Eirich  a's  leighis  an  t-sealg.1 

1  Professor  O'Growney  informs  me  that  in  the  county  of  Meath  he  heard 
the  lines — 

Bean  mhin,  fear  borb, 

Mac  De  'na  luidhe  'san  g-colg. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  157 

'Translated — 

A  hospitable  wife,  a  churlish  man ; 
Christ  lying  on  the  awns — 
Arise  and  cure  the  spleen. 

The  version  of  the  story  given  in  Vol.  VIII.  is  substantially 
the  same  as  the  one  now  narrated.  It  is  noteworthy,  however, 
that  in  Protestant  Lochbroom  there  is  no  mention  of  the  Virgin 
Mary  ;  whilst  the  version  obtained  in  Catholic  Uist  assigns  to  her 
a  prominent  place.  The  Lochbroom  version  of  the  formula  was  as 
follows  : — 

An  ainm  an  Athar,  a'  Mhic  's  an  Spioraid  Naoimh  ! 

Duine  fiat  a  muigh, 

Bean  fhial  a  stigh, 

Criosd  'na  laidhe  air  calg  an  lin — 

'S  math  an  leigheas  air  an  t-seilg  sin. 

Translated — 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit, 

A  fierce,  churlish  man  without, 

A  hospitable  wife  within, 

Christ  a-lying  on  the  beard  of  flax — 

That  is  a  good  cure  for  the  spleen. 

It  will  be  noted  that  one  of  the  Irish  charms  above  given  deals 
with  the  sealg.  There  is  also  a  charm  for  the  "  Stitch"  in  a  MS. 
of  the  llth  century  given  in  Cockayne's  Leechdom  and  Wort- 
-Cunning  of  Early  England  : — 

With  gestice. 

"  Writh  Crist es  msel  and  sing,  thriwe  thaer  on  this  and  pater 
noster  longinus  miles  lancea  ponxit  dominum  et  restitit  sanguis  et 
recessit  dolor.  For  a  stitch.  Write  a  cross  of  Christ  and  sing- 
over  the  place  this  thrice." 

CASGADH    FOLA,    OR    STAUNCHING    BLOOD. 

The  belief  prevailed  that  some  of  the  old  Highlanders  could 
staunch  blood.  Horse  gelders  were  supposed  to  be  particularly 
skilled  in  this  art ;  but  I  failed  to  get  any  specimen  of  the 
Incantations  in  Uist. 

I  will,  however,  give  one  which  I  recently  noted  from  Duncan 
Campbell,  an  old  Strathconan  man,  now  resident  in  Beauly.  He 
learned  it  from  a  sister  of  Donald  Macdonald,  the  Bard  Conanach. 


158  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

The  Bard,  it  appears,  was  celebrated  for  his  Charms  and  Incanta- 
tions,1 and  taught  the  present  one  to  his  sister.  She  taught  it  to 
my  informant,  who  firmly  believes  in  its  efficacy,  and  who  says 
that  he  has  on  many  occasions  staunched  blood  through  its 
instrumentality  !  The  formula  is  as  follows  : — Having  mentioned 
the  name  and  surname  of  the  person  to  be  cured,  the  "  Charmer" 
repeated  the  Ortha  thus — 

Paidir  Mhoire,  h-aon. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  dha. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  tri. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  ceithir. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  coig. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  sia. 
Paidir  Mhoire,  seacbd. 

"  Ciod  e  is  brigh  dha  na  seachd  Paidrichean  T 
"  Is  brigh  dha  na  seachd  Paidrichean — 
Obainn  fala  air  feirg,  fala  deirg. 
Reoithidh  t'  fhuil,  's  duinidh  do  lot 
Mar  shileadh  Moire  air  Criosd." 

Translated — 

The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — one. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — two. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mury — three. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — four. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — five. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — six. 
The  Pater  of  the  Virgin  Mary — seven. 

1  In  local  tradition  he  is  represented  as  having  been  particularly  successful 
both  in  letting  and  in  staunching  blood.  On  one  occasion,  while  at  the  harvest 
in  the  Lothians,  he  lodged  with  a  weaver,  who  was  also  a  noted  phlebotoraist. 
A  full-blooded  damsel  of  the  district  called  on  the  weaver  in  order  that  he 
might  let  her  blood.  He  tried  all  his  skill,  but  the  blood  would  not  come. 
Whereupon  the  Bard  took  the  damsel  in  hand,  and,  taking  her  by  the  small  of 
the  wrist,  squeezed  an  artery,  with  the  result  that  blood  squirted  in  the 
weaver's  face.  The  weaver  desired  the  Bard  to  show  him  his  method.  The 
Bard  responded  in  verse  : — 

Cha  tugainn  eolas  mo  lamh  fhein 

Dh'  fhear  bhualadh  slinn  no  chuireadh  i ; 

Lot  thu  gairdean  na  nighean  dhonn 

'S  cha  'n  fhac  thu  steall  de  'n  fhuil  aice  ; 

'S  an  uair  a  theannaich  mi  caol  a  duirn 
Mu  'dha  shuil  bha  'n  fhuil  aice. 


Gaelic  Incantations. 

"  What  is  the  significance  of  the  seven  Paters  T 
"  The  significance  of  the  seven  Paters  is — 
The  fierce  (running)  of  blood — 

(Blood)  in  anger, 

Blood  (flowing)  red. 

Thy  blood  will  freeze ;  thy  wound  will  close, 
As  Mary's  dropped  on  Christ ! 

Here  is  an  Irish  charm  to  staunch  blood,  received  from  Mr 
O'Faherty.  It  is  called  Ortha  Coisgthe  Fola.  I  have  not 
previously  found  a  Gaelic  Incantation  with  Latin  words  : — 

Is  beannuighthe  ainrn  an  fhir  a  sgoilt  croidhe  an  laoigh  ghil ; 
Is  maith  an  nidh  thainic  as,  full,  fion,  agus  fioruisge. 
An  ainm  a  n-Athar,  stop  an  fhuil ;  Sancti,  taraidh  da  chobhair. 
Spiritus  Sancte,  stop  an  fuil  ta  ag  teacht  go  treun. 
Translated — 

Blessed  is  the  name  of  him  who  split  the  heart  of  the  White  Calf ; 
Precious  is  that  which  came  therefrom — blood,   wine,  and  pure 

water. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  stop  the  blood ;  Saints,  come  to  his  aid  ; 
Holy  Spirit,  stop  the  blood  that  is  spuriing  so  strongly. 

Our  Manx  cousins  had  several  such  incantations,  and  one  of 
them  may  as  a  specimen  be  quoted  here  from  Mr  Moore's  book : — 

Pish'iy  dy  Sthappal  Roie  Foalley. 

11  Three  deiney  chranee  haink  voish  y  Raue — Chreest,  Peddyr, 
as  Paul.  Va  Creest  y  Chrosh,  yn  uill  echey  shilley,  as  Moirrey  er 
ny  glioonyn  yn  ec  liorish.  Ghow  for  jeu  yn  er-obbee  ayns  e  lau 
yesh,  as  hayrn  Creest  crosh  1  harrish  eh.  Three  mraane  aegey 
haink  harrish  yn  ushtey,  dooyrt  unnane  jeu,  '  seose' ;  dooyrt  nane 
elley,  *  f uirree' ;  dooyrt  yn  trass-unnane  '  sthappyms  fuill  dooinney 
n y  ben.  Mish  dy  ghra  eh,  aw  Chreest  dy  yannoo  eh,  ayns  ennym 
yn  Ayr,  as  y  Vac  as  y  Spyrryd  Noo." 

Translated — 

Charm  to  Stop  Running  of  Blood. 

"  Three  godly  men  came  from  Rome — Christ,  Peter,  and  Paul. 
Christ  was  on  the  cross,  his  blood  flowing,  and  Mary  on  her  knees 
close  by.  One  took  the  enchanted  one  in  his  right  hand,  and 
Christ  drew  a  cross  over  him.  Three  young  women  came  over  the 

1  On  repeating  "  crosh''  you  are  to  draw  a  cross  with  the  thumb  of  the  right 
hand  over  the  bleeding  part. 


160  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

water,  one  of  them  said  *  up,'  and  another  said  '  stay,'  and  the 
third  one  said,  '  I  will  stop  the  blood  of  a  man  or  woman.'  I  to 
say  it,  and  Christ  to  do  it,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Another  charm  to  staunch  blood  among  the  Manx  was  in  Latin, 
and  was  as  follows  :— 

A   Charm  to  Stop  Bleeding. 

Sanguis  mane  in  te, 
Sicut  Christus  in  se  ; 
Sanguis  mane  in  tua  vena, 
Sicut  Christus  in  sua  pcei^a ; 
Sauguis  mane  fix  us, 
Sicut  erat  Christus, 
Quando  fuit  crucifmis. 

Our  toothache  Toisgeal  was  on  no  account  to  be  seen  by  the 
sufferer.  Similarly,  the  above  was  not  to  be  translated,  as  trans- 
lation deprived  it  of  its  efficacy  ! 

In  Orkney  the  following  couplet,  repeated  three  times,  was  the 
formula  to  stop  blood  :  — 

Stem,  blood  stem  !  I  say  to  thee  ! 

In  the  name  of  Him  that  hung  on  a  tree  ! 

BITE    OF    A    MAD    DOG. 

The  bite  of  a  mad  dog  was  naturally  much  dreaded.  Indeed 
the  bite  of  any  dog  was.  The  mad  dog  was  invariably  destroyed. 
In  the  case  of  another  dog,  it  sometimes  sufficed  if  water  was  put 
on  the  animal's  teeth,  and  the  wound  washed  with  this  water,  or 
loc-shlainte  (Health-Restorer)  as  it  was  called.  Our  Irish  cousins 
dealt  with  the  case  of  the  mad  dog  in  their  Ancient  Laws.  In  the 
Book  of  Aicill  we  are  told  "  There  is  no  benefit  in  proclaiming  it 
(the  mad  dog — cu  confaid)  unless  it  be  killed  ;  nor  though  it  be 
killed  unless  it  be  burned  :  nor  though  it  be  burned  unless  its 
ashes  have  been  cast  into  a  stream." 

The  matter  was  also  dealt  with  in  the  Irish  charms.  Here  is 
a  specimen  used  in  West  Connaught :  — 

Coisgim  cu  air  mire, 
Cuirim  nimh  air  neimh-bhrigh, 
'Se  dubhairt  Padruig  uair  no  tri, 
In  nomine  Patris,  et  filii. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  161 

Translated — 

I  check  a  mad  dog, 
I  make  the  poison  of  no  effect, 
Saith  St  Patrick  twice  or  thrice, 
In  nomine  Patris,  et  filii. 

EOLAS    NAN    SUL. 

There  were  Eolais  not  only  to  heal  sore  eyes,  but  also  to 
remove  a  mote  from  the  eye.  Martin  mentions  that  "  there  be 
women  "  who  have  the  latter  art,  "  though  at  some  miles  distant 
from  the  party  grieved."  The  Eolas  for  sore  or  weak  eyes  was 
practised  till  recent  times  in  many  parts  of  the  country.  The 
modus  operandi  was  this  : — A  dish  was  filled  with  clean  water,  and 
the  performer,  bending  over  it,  and  spitting  into  it,  repeated  the 
following  Incantation  : — 

Obaidh  nan  geur  shul, 
An  obaidh  's  fearr  fo  'n  glirein  ; 
Obaidh  Dhe,  an  t-Uile  Mhor. 
Feile  Mhairi,  feile  Dhe, 
Feile  gach  sagairt  's  gach  cleir, 
Feile  Mhicheil  nam  feart, 
'Chairich  anns  a'  ghrein  a  neart. 
Translated — 

A  charm  for  sore  smarting  eyes — 
The  best  charm  under  the  sun ; 
The  Charm  of  God,  the  All-Great ; 
Charm  of  Mary,  Charm  of  God, 
Charm  of  each  priest  and  each  cleric, 
Charm  of  Michael  the  strenuous, 
Who  bestowed  on  the  sun  its  strength. 

The  following  story,  relative  to  the  experiences  of  a  certain 
Parliamentary  candidate  for  a  Highland  constituency,  and  which 
has  not  before  been  published,  is  interesting : — 

In  course  of  a  house-to-house  canvass,  the  candidate  learned  that 
a  certain  voter  knew  Eolas  nan  siil.  The  candidate  mentioned  to 
this  voter  the  case  of  a  relative  who  suffered  from  sore  eyes. 
The  rural  ophthalmist  offered  his  services,  and  at  once  began  to 
prepare  a  "lotion."  Pouring  a  quantity  of  water  into  a  dish, 
the  charmer  bent  over  it,  repeating  an  Incantation  nine  times — 
and  each  time  he  spat  in  the  water.  The  "charmed  water"  was 
thereafter  poured  into  a  bottle  and  presented  to  the  candidate,  to 
•be  used  as  a,n  eye-wash  by  his  relative. 

11 


162  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  feared  that  any  possible  virtue  the  contents 
of  the  bottle  might  contain  were  never  tested. 

In  connection  with  the  spitting  in  the  water,  see  the  story  of 
the  healing  of  the  man  who  was  born  blind,  as  narrated  in  the 
ninth  chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  St  John.  The  sixth  verse  of  that 
chapter  is  as  follows  : — 

"  When  he  [Jesus]  had  thus  spoken,  he  spat  on  the  ground  and 
made  clay  of  the  spittle,  and  he  anointed  the  eyes  of  the  blind  man 
with  the  clay." 

A'    CHIOCH THE    UVULA. 

When  the  palate  fell  (A'  chioch  }s  an  amhaich),  the  ceremony  of 
Togail  na  Dail-chuaich  was  resorted  to.  As  the  plant  called  Dail- 
chuaich  was  pulled,  a  certain  Incantation  was  said,  but  I  have  been 
unable  to  get  it.  Will  any  reader  fuAish  a  copy  ? 

Another  cure  for  "  raising  the  uvula  "  was  the  Ciochag-thraghad. 
This  small,  red,  uvula-like  marine  polypus  was  gathered  when  the 
tide  was  out,  tied  in  a  piece  of  cloth,  and  hung  on  the  crook  above 
the  fire,  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity,  mentioning  the  name  of  the 
sufferer  from  the  Cioch-shlugain  at  the  time.  As  the  Ciochag- 
thraghad  shrank  under  the  influence  of  the  fire,  so  it  was  believed 
that  the  uvula  of  the  sufferer  would  resume  its  normal  size  ! x 

KING'S  EVIL. 
Here  is  an  Irish  charm  for  the  King's  Evil : — 

Marbhuigheann  m'  ortha  easbaidh  bruth — 
Eachmhaidh  chneadha,  eachmhaidh  chneadha, 
Gach  cnuimh  i  n-deid  a's  gach  peist 
A  mbidheann  nimh  ami. 
In  ainm  an  Athar  agus  an  Mhic  agus  an  Spioraid  Naoimh. 

Translated— 

My  charm  doth  kill  the  hot  evil — 
The  gnawing  worm,  the  gnawing  worm ; 
Every  worm  in  tooth,  and  every  monster 
Of  poisonous  nature. 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  <fee. 

1  This  is  interesting  alongside  with  a  Welsh  formula  for  curing  warts.. 
Certain  wells  in  Wales  cured  warts.  Professor  Rhys  states  the  formula  thus : 
— "  On  your  way  to  the  well,  look  for  wool  which  the  sheep  had  lost.  When 
you  had  found  enough  wool,  you  should  prick  each  wart  with  a  pin,  and  then 
rub  the  wart  well  with  the  wool.  The  next  thing  was  to  bend  the  pin  and 
throw  it  into  the  well.  Then  you  should  place  the  wool  on  the  first  white- 
thorn you  could  find,  and  at  the  wind  scattered  the  wool  the  warts  toould 
disappear  "  /.'/ 


Gaelic  Incantations.  163 

ROINN    A'    MHAIM,    OR    "APPORTIONING"    OF    SWOLLEN    GLANDS. 

The  Mam,  or,  as  it  is  called  in  some  districts,  Man,  is  a 
swelling  of  the  glands  in  the  armpit,  or  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
thigh — glaic  na  sleisde.1  Mam  is  probably  the  correct  form — the 
swelling  being  so  called  from  its  resemblance  to  mam,  a  round 
hillock. 

The  popular  method  of  curing  the  Mctm  was  to  have  it  divided 
or  apportioned — roinn — over  a  number  of  mams  or  hillocks  in 
different  parts  of  the  country.  The  mode  of  carrying  out  the  roinn, 
or  apportioning  was  as  follows: — The  person  who  practised  the  Eolas 
took  a  darning  needle  and  laid  it  across  the  Mam  or  swelling.  He 
then  took  an  axe  and  placed  its  edge  on  the  needle,  thus  forming  a 
cross,  and  at  the  same  time  saying  "  So  air  Mam" — (naming  a  par- 
ticular mam  or  hillock).  The  needle  was  then  shifted,  the  axe  placed 
across  it  again,  and  that  portion  of  the  swelling  assigned  to  another 
mam ;  and  so  on  for  nine  or  twenty-four  times,  according  to  the 
method  of  the  performer. 

The  roinn  or  apportioning  nine  times  was  considered  sufficient  to 
cause  the  swelling  to  subside — dot  air  ais.  Nine  times  was  the 
number  usually  practised  both  on  the  Mainland  and  in  most  of  the 
Western  Islands,  but  the  correct  number,  according  to  a  Colonsay 
man,  was  twenty-four.  In  apportioning  the  swelling  over  twenty- 
four  mams,  the  sign  of  the  cross  was  made  on  the  floor  with  the 
edge  of  the  axe,  after  the  eighth,  sixteenth,  and  twenty-fourth 
mams  enumerated  below,  the  operator  at  the  same  time  saying  — 
"  Tha  so  air  a'  Mtiam  Mhor  Dhiurach,  's  e  's  an  deicheamh" 

I  am  indebted  to  my  friend  Professor  Mackinnon,  of  Edinburgh 
University,  for  the  following  list  of  Mams  mentioned  in  the  rite 
as  the  same  is  performed  in  Colonsay.  It  was  recently  noted  from 
the  recital  of  Alexander  Macneill,  an  old  Colonsay  man,  who 
thought  it  was  required  by  the  Professor  for  some  desperate  case 
that  had  defied  the  skill  of  all  the  Edinburgh  doctors  ! 

The  performer,  taking  the  needle  and  the  axe,  and  going 
through  the  action  above  described,  went  over  the  twenty-four 
mams  thus — 

1.  So  air  Mam  a'  Scriodain  [Mull]. 

2.  So  air  Mam  an  t-Snodain. 

3.  So  air  Mam  Dhoire  Dhuaig  [Mull]. 

4.  So  air  Mam  Chloiche  Duinu. 

1  Mdm= A  certain  bile,  or  ulcerous  swelling  of  the  armpit ;  ulcus  qucedam, 
vtcus  in  axilla. — Highland  Society's  Dictionary. 

Mdn—A  brook  bile,  or  an  ulcerous  swelling  under  the  arm. — Macfarlane's 
Vocabulary. 


164  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

5.  So  air  Mam  an  t-Struthain. 

6.  So  air  Mam  an  t-Siosair. 

7.  So  air  Mam  an  t-Seilisteir. 

8.  So  air  Mam  Shiaba  [Mull]. 

f  (on  the  floor)  So  air  a'  Mham  Mhor  Dhiurach,  's  c 
'san  Deicheamh. 

9.  So  air  Mam  Astal  [Islayl. 

10.  So  air  Mam  Choireadaii  [Islay]. 

11.  So  air  Mam  a'  Bhatain. 

12.  So  air  Mam  Shraoisnich. 

13.  So  air  Mam  an  t-Siobarsaich. 

14.  So  air  Mam  Chataibh   [so  pronounced   in  Colonsay, 

where  Caithness  is  understood]. 

15.  So  air  Mam  na  Mororaig. 

16.  So  air  Mam  Chloiche  Gile*. 

f  So  air  a'  Mham  Mhor  Dhiurach,  &c. 

17.  So  air  Mam  na  Doire   Uaine   [Doire  is  Feminine  in 

Colonsay]. 

18.  So  air  Mam  na  Doire  Liath  (leith). 

19.  So  air  Mam  Arichdhuairich  [so  pronounced  by  reciter. 

Airidh  Ghuaire  in  Mull  is  suggested]. 

20.  So  air  Mam  Choire-na-h-eirea'a  [Jura]. 

21.  So  air  Mam  Ghribinn  [Mull]. 

22.  So  air'  Mam  Aisginis  [S.  Uist  ?]. x 

23.  So  air  Mam  Chlachaig  [Mull]. 

24.  So  air  Mam  Choire  Chriostal. 

f  So  air  a'  Mham  Mhor  Dhiurach,  &c. 

Members  of  this  Society  may  be  able  to  identify  the  locality  of 
several  of  these  Mams. 

Macneill  firmly  believes  in  the  efficacy  of  his  method  of  curing 
the  Mam  ;  and  he  occasionally  puts  his  skill  to  the  test  in  Colon- 
say. 

An  Arisaig  Man  informed  me  that  his  father  used  to  "  appor- 
tion" the  Mam,  and  was  always  successful  in  effecting  cures.  "  I 
never  saw  his  method  fail,"  said  my  informant ;  "  and  I  have 
often  seen  the  swelling  burst  during  the  operation  with  the 
hatchet !" 

Donald  Maceachan,  an  old  cottar  in  South  Morar,  still  pro- 
fesses that  he  can  cure,  such  swellings  as  I  have  described, 
llecently  I  met  him,  and  he  was  good  enough  to  describe  his 
method.  He  learned  the  art  in  his  youth,  from  an  old  man,  and 
has  practised  it  from  time  to  time  ever  since.  Shortly  before 

1  There  is  a  hill  in  Caignish  called  Cnap-Aisginis. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  165 

my  interview  with  him,  he  had  cured  a  young  man  who  had  a 
Mam  on  the  thigh — am  bac  na  sleisde — and  that  so  speedily  that 
on  the  day  after  the  operation  no  trace  of  the  swelling  was  left ! 

In  Arisaig  and  Morar  the  number  of  Mams  mentioned  is  nine, 
and  not  twenty-four,  as  in  CSlonsay.  There  is  no  reference  to  the 
Great  Mam  of  Jura,  to  which  so  much  importance  is  attached  in 
the  Colonsay  formula.  All  the  Mams  mentioned  are  in  Knoydart ; 
and  Maceachan,  in  order  to  convince  me  of  the  accuracy  of  his  list, 
stated  that  he  himself  had  lived  for  a  long  time  in  that  district, 
and  took  a  special  note  of  the  Mams  mentioned  in  his  formula. 
His  own  words  were — "  Bha  mi-fhein  a'  fuireach  fada  ann  an 
Cnoideart  's  chum  mi  beachd  air  na  Maim."  Like  the  Psalmist, 
he  well  might  say — 

"  I  to  the  Hills  will  lift  mine  eyes, 
From  whence  doth  come  mine  Aid  /" 

The  method  of  "  apportioning  the  Mam  "  in  Arisaig  and  Morar 
was  as  follows  : — The  edge  of  the  axe  was  placed,  in  the  name  of 
the  Trinity,  on  the  swelling.  Lifting  the  axe,  the  operator  then 
struck  its  edge  into  a  block  of  wood — generally  the  door-step 
(maide-buinn  or  stair&neach)—  at  the  same  time  saying,  "  So  air 
Mam-Chlach-ard" — i.e.,  "  This  part  of  the  swelling  I  apportion  to 
Mam-Chlach-ard  " — and  so  on,  until  each  of  the  nine  hills  men- 
tioned in  the  formula  received  its  due  portion  !  If  one  recital  did 
not  prove  successful,  the  rite  might  be  performed  two  or  three 
times. 

The  following  is  the  formula  as  practised  by  Donalq 
Maceachan  : — 

1.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Chlach-ard  [above  Loch-Nevis]. 

2.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Uchd  [Knoydart]. 

3.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Uidhe  [Knoydart]. 

4.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Bharasdail  [Knoydart]. 

5.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Eadail  [Knoydart]. 

6.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Maman-Odhar  [Knoydart]. 

7.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Suidheag  [Knoydart]. 

8.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Unndulainn  [Knoydart]. 

9.  Tha  mi  'cur  so  air  Mam-Lidh  [Knoydart]. 

AN    TROMA-LAIDHE,    OR    NIGHTMARE. 

The  following  is  a  Charm  against  Nightmare,  or  Troma-laidhe. 
It  was  to  be  said  as  soon  as  the  person  awoke  : — 


166  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Aisling  a  chunnaic  mi  'n  geilt, 
Thug  Criosd  oirre  deagh  bhreith  ; 
Dh'innis  Peadar  i  do  Ph61, 
'S  thubhairt  P61  gum  bu  mhath. 

Translated — 

A  dream  I  saw  in  fear — 

Christ  passed  on  it  good  judgment ; 

Peter  told  it  to  Paul, 

And  Paul  said  it  was  well. 

The  above  is  from  Barra.     Here  is  a  similar  one  from  the  Arran 
Islands,  Galway  : — 

An  Triur  is  sine,  an  Trim*  is  6ige, 
An  Triur  is  treise  i  bh-Flaitfcis  na  G16ire — 
An  t-Athair,  an  Mac,  's  an  Spiorad  Naomh, 
Do  m'  shabhail  's  do  m'  ghardail  o  nocht  go 

d-ti  bliadhain, 
Agus  an  riochd  fein.     An  ainm  an  Athar,  &c. 

Translated — 

The  Three  oldest,  the  Three  youngest, 

The  Three  strongest  in  the  Heaven  of  Glory, 

The  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 

To  pave  and  guard  me  from  to-night  for  a  year, 

And  to-night  itself.     In  nomine  Patris,  &c. 

SPRAINS. 

Eolais  for  sprains  are  numerous,  and  are  known  as  Solas  an 
t-sniomh,  or  Solas  air  sgiuchadhfeithe.  They  were  applied  in  the 
ease  of  man,  and  also  in  the  case  of  the  lower  animals.  The 
performer  took  a  worsted  thread  in  his  or  her  mouth,  muttered  the 
Incantation,  and  tied  the  thread  round  the  injured  limb,  where  it 
was  kept  until  worn  out.  In  Norse  mythology,  we  have  an 
account  of  Woden's  adventure  with  his  steed,  which  slides  and 
wrenches  its  joint,  till  successive  Galdersongs,  or  Charms,  restore 
it.  It  was  the  same  idea  with  the  Highland  Charms,  Christ,  and 
sometimes  St  Columba  or  St  Bridget,  being  mentioned  as  the 
author  of  the  cure.  Here  is  a  specimen  from  Uist  :— 

Dh'  eirich  Criosda  moch 
Maduinn  bhriagha  mach ; 
Chunnaic  e  cnamhan  'each 
Air  am  bristeadh  ma  seach  ; 


Gaelic  Incantations.  167 

Chuir  e  cnaimh  ri  cnaimh, 

Ohuir  e  smuais  ri  smuais, 

Chuir  e  feoil  ri  feoil, 

Agus  feith  ri  feith  ; 

Chuir  e  craicionn  ri  craicionn  ; 

Mar  a  shlanaich  Criosda  sin 

Gu  'n  slanaich  mise  so. 

Translated — 

Christ  arose  early  and  went  forth 

One  fine  morning, 

He  beheld  his  horses'  bones 

Broken  cross-wise. 

He  put  bone  to  bone  ; 

He  put  marrow  to  marrow  ; 

He  put  flesh  to  flesh ; 

He  put  sinew  to  sinew  ; 

And  put  skin  to  skin. 

As  Christ  healed  these, 

May  I  heal  this. 

The  following  is  a  version  of  the  Eolas  from  Loehbroom  : — 

Chaidh  Criosda  mach 
'S  a'  mhaduinn  mhoich, 
'S  fhuair  e  casan  nan  each, 
Air  am  bristeadh  mu  seach. 
Chuir  e  cnaimh  ri  cnaimh, 
Agus  feith  ri  feith, 
Agus  feoil  ri  feoil, 
Agus  craicionn  ri  craicionn  ; 
'S  mar  leighis  Esan  sin, 
Gu  'n  leighis  mise  so. 
Translated — 

Christ  went  forth 

In  the  early  morn 

And  found  the  horses'  legs 

Broken  across, 

He  put  bone  to  bone, 

Sinew  to  sinew, 

Flesh  to  flesh, 

And  skin  to  skin  ; 

And  as  He  healed  that, 

May  I  heal  this. 


168  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

Here  ie  another  version  from  Uist : — 

Dh'  eirich  Calum-Cille  moch, 

Fhuair  e  ciiamhan  a  chuid  each 

Gas  mu  seach 

Chuir  e  cnaimh  ri  cnaimh, 

Feoil  ri  feoil. 

Feithean  ri  feithean, 

Seiche  ri  seiche, 

Smuais  ri  smuais  ; 

A'  Chriosd  mar  leighis  Thu  sid, 

Gu  'n  leighis  Thu  so. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  translate  this  Incantation.  It  is  in  effect 
the  same  as  the  two  preceding  ones,  wjth  this  difference  that  St 
Columba  takes  the  place  in  the  latter  taken  by  Christ  in  the  two 
former.  It  is  noteworthy  that  the  healing  of  broken  bones  by  St 
Columba  is  mentioned  by  Adamnau  in  his  Life  of  the  Saint.  The 
holy  virgin  Maugina,  daughter  of  Daimen,  who  lived  in  Clochur, 
we  are  there  told,  when  returning  from  Mass,  stumbled  and  broke 
her  thigh  quite  through.  Columba  ordered  a  disciple  named 
Lugaid  to  visit  her.  As  Lugaid  was  setting  out  on  his  journey, 
the  Saint  gave  him  a  little  box,  made  of  pine,  saying — "  Let  the 
blessed  gift  which  is  contained  in  this  box  be  dipped  in  a  vessel 
of  water  when  thou  comest  to  visit  Maugina,  and  let  the  water 
thus  blessed  be  poured  on  her  thigh  :  then  at  once,  by  the  invoca- 
tion of  God's  name,  her  thigh-bone  shall  be  joined  together  and 
made  strong,  and  the  holy  virgin  shall  recover  perfect  health." 
Lugaid  carried  out  his  master's  directions,  and  we  are  told  that  in 
an  instant  Maugina  was  completely  healed  by  the  closing  up  of  the 
bone. — (See  Vita  Sancti  Columbce,  Lib.  II.,  cap.  v.) 

In  connection  with  St  Columba's  directions  to  Lugaid,  John 
Roy  Stuart's  "  Prayer  "  may  be  mentioned.  Stuart  sprained  his- 
ankle  after  the  battle  of  Culloden,  and  while  hiding  from  the  Red- 
coats composed  the  verses  known  as  "  Urnaigh  Iain  Ruaidh " 
("John  Roy's  Prayer").  According  to  this  prayer,  his  ankle  was 
to  be  cured  by  the  Charm  which  St  Peter  made  for  St  Paul.  Seven 
Paters,  in  the  name  of  Priest  and  Pope,  were  to  be  applied  as  a 
plaster ;  while  another  Charm  was  to  be  applied  in  the  name  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  all-powerful  to  cure  the  true  believer. 

Ni  mi  'n  ubhaidh  rinn  Peadar  do  Phal 
'Sa  luighean  air  fas-leum  bruaich ; 
Seachd  Paidir  'n  ainm  Sagairt  a's  Pap 


Gaelic  Incantations.  169 

Ga  chur  ris  na  phlasd  mu  'n  cuairt. 

Ubhaidh  eile  as  leath  Moire  nan  Gras 

'S  urrainn  creideach  dheanamh  slan  ri  uair. 

—  Vide  Mackenzie's  "  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry,"  p.  268. 

Our  Norse  neighbours  in  Orkney  and  Shetland  also  had  their 
Charms  for  the  cure  of  sprains.  The  thread  used  was  called  the 
"  wristing  thread,"  and  the  Incantation  was  as  follows  : — 

Our  Saviour  rade. 

His  fore-foot  slade, 

Our  Saviour  lighted  down  ; 
Sinew  to  sinew — joint  to  joint. 
Blood  to  blood,  and  bone  to  bone, 

Mend  thou  in  God's  name  ! 

Another  Orkney  formula  was  as  follows  : — 

A.  thread,  having  on  it  nine  knots,  was  tied  round  the  sprained 
part.  As  the  thread  was  being  tied  the  following  Incantation  was 
muttered — 

Nine  knots  upo'  this  thread 

Nino  blessings  on  thy  head  ; 

Blessings  to  take  away  thy  pain 

And  ilka  tinter  of  thy  strain. 

ST  COLUMBA  AS  THE  PATRON  OF  CATTLE. 

At  the  commencement  of  this  paper  I   mentioned  that  in  Uist 
the  Eolais  there  used  were  attributed  to  St  Columba.     The  Saint's 
name  is  mentioned  in  one  of  the  versions  of  the  Eolas  for  a  Sprain 
above  given.       In  the  Western   Islands  St  Columba  appeared  to 
have  been  regarded  as  the  patron  of  cattle.     When  a  man  spoke  to 
a  neighbour  about  the  neighbour's  cattle,  he  said — 
Gu'n  gleidheadh  Calum-Cille  dhuibh  iad. 
(May  St  Columba  protect  them  for  you). 

As  a  woman'  left  her  cattle  on  the  hill-side  to  graze  she 
waved  her  hand  towards  them,  saying — 

"  Buachailleachd  Dhia  's  Chalum-Chille  oirbh." 
(May  the  herding  and  guardianship  of  God  and  St  Columba 
be  on  you). 

An  Eriskay  woman  used  to  address  her  cattle — 
Gu'm  bu  duinte  gach  slochd 
JS  gu'm  bu  reidh  gach  cnoc — 
Buachailleachd  Chalum-Chille  oirbh. 
Gus  an  tig  sibh  dhachaidh. 


170  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Translated— 

May  each  pit  be  closed, 
And  each  hillock  be  plain  ; 
Columba's  herding  on  ye 
Till  home  ye  return. 

We  have  also  the  following  saying  regarding  St  Columba's 
day — 

Diardaoin,  La  'Ille  Chaluhn  Chaoimh, 
Latha  chur  chaorach  air  seilbh, 
Gu  deilbh,  's  gu  cur  ba  air  laogh.1 

Translated— 

Thursday,  gentle  Saint  Columba's  Day. 
The  day  to  put  sheep  to  pasture 
To  warp,  and  cow  to  calf.* 

Adamuau  tells  us  of  the  Saint  blessing  cattle,  and  their 
number  increasing.  Nesan,  a  poor  man,  who  entertained  Columba 
for  the  night,  had  five  heifers.  "  Bring  them  to  me  that  I  may 
bless  them,"  said  the  Saint.  They  were  brought.  He  raised  his 
holy  hand,  blessed  them,  and  said — "  From  this  day  thy  five  little 
heifers  shall  increase  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and  five  cows." 
Anotbdr  poor  man,  named  Columban,  had  five  small  cows.  They 
too  were  blessed  by  the  Saint,  and  thereafter  increased  to  one 
hundred  and  five  ! —  Vide  Book  II.,  chapters  xx.  and  xxii;. 

Another  cattle  blessing  was  as  follows  : — 

'Siubhal  monaidh,  'siubhal  coille, 
Siubhail  gu  reidh,  fada,  farsuinn ; 
Buachaille  Mhoire  fo  d'  chois, 
'S  gu'm  bu  slan  a  thig  thu  as  ! 
Translated — 

Travelling  mountain,  travelling  wood, 
Travel  freely,  far  and  wide ; 
Mary's  herdsman  by  thy  feet, 
And  safely  may  thou  hither  come  ! 

The  following  is  a  more  elaborate  version  of  it,  and  is  called 
Rann  Suachailleachd,  or  Herding  Incantation. 

'Siubhal  monaidh,  'suibhal  coille, 
Siubhail  gu  reidh,  fada,  farsuinn, 
Banachaig  Phadruig  mu'r  casan 

1  Among  the  peasantry  in  Shetland  marriages  almost  invariably  take  place 
on  Thursday. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  171 

Gus  am  faic  mise  slan  a  ri'sd  sibh 
An  sian  a  chuir  Moire  mu  'buar 
Moch  a's  anmoch  's  a  tighinn  bhuaith  ; 
Ga'n  gleidheadh  bbo  pholl  's  bho  eabar, 
Bho  fheith  's  bho  adharcaii  a  cheile, 
Bho  lionadh  na  creige-ruaidhe 
'S  bho  luaths  na  Feinne. 
Banachaig  Phadruig  mu'r  casan 
Gu'm  a  slan  a  thig  sibh  dhachaidh. 

Translated — 

Traversing  hills,  traversing  woods, 

And  (while)  grazing  far  and  near, 

[May]  St  Patrick's  milkmaid  attend  yon 

Till  I  see  you  well  again  ; 

[And  may]  the  Charm  made  by  Mary  for  her  cattle, 

Early  and  late  going  to  and  coming  from  the  pasture 

Protect  you  from  pit  and  quagmire, 

From  fens  or  morasses,  and  from  each  other's  horns  ; 

From  the  filling  of  the  red  rock  [the  rose  or  swelling 

of  the  udder  ?] 

And  from  the  swift-footed  Fingalians. 
May  St  Patrick's  milkmaid  attend  your  footsteps, 
And  scatheless  may  you  again  come  home. 

Akin  to  the  foregoing  is  the 

Orra-Gleidheadh  Spreidhe. 
It  was  as  follows — 

Cuiridh  mise  'n  spreidh  so  romham 

Mar  a  dh'  orduich  High  an  Domhain, 

Moire  ga  'n  gleidheadh  o  fheith  nan  coimheach, 

Air  thus,  a  Bhride  mhin,  bi  mar  riu? 

Le  d'  bhata  's  le  d'  lorg  bi  rompa, 

'S  gu'n  glacadh  tu  clur  as  d'  fholt, 

0  rim i  thu  dhaibh  eolas  a's  earal, 

Ga  'n  gleidheadh  o  chall  's  o  lochd, 

0  bhathadh  an  allt  's  o  gharadh  cam, 

No  o  mhilleadh  sluic. 

A  Bhride  mhin,  fagam  agad, 

Moire  tilleadh  thugam 

Le  leas  Dhia  's  Chalum-Chille, 

Casan  cuiribh  fothaibh,        • 

'S  drochaid  Mhoire  rornhaibh. 


172  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

In  the  following  Charm  noted  from  an  old  Lochbroom  man  we 
have  St  Columba's  cure  of  the  cattle  disease  known  as 

An  Tairbhean. 

An  t-eolas  a  rinn  Calum-Cille 

Dh'  aona  bho  na  caillich. 

Cas  air  muir,  cas  air  tir, 

Cas  eile  'sa'  churachan. 

Air  mhial,  air  bhalg, 

Air  ghalar  dearg,  air  thairbhein. 

An  tairbhean  a  tha  na  do  bhroinn 

Air  an  ailbhinn  l  sin  thall,  2 

Slainte  dhut,  a  bheathaich  ! 

Translated —  ^ 

The  Charm  made  by  St  Columba 

For  the  old  wife's  only  cow. 

One  foot  on  the  sea,  one  foot  on  land, 

And  another  foot  in  the  corracle. 

Against  worm,  against  swelling, 

Against  red  disease  (strangury  1}  and  tairbhean. 

May  the  tairbhean  that's  in  your  body 

Go  to  yonder  hard  stone. 

Health  to  you,  beastie  ! 

We  often  have  St  Columba  presented  to  us  with  one  foot  on 
land  and  the  other  on  the  sea,  suggesting  his  sway  over  sea  and 
land — per  mare  per  terram.  According  to  the  foregoing,  we  have 
the  Saint  with  three  feet — one  on  the  sea,  one  on  the  land,  and  a^ 
third  in  the  corracle  ! 

A  more  elaborate  version  of  the  Eolas  is  given  by  me  in  Vol. 
VIII.  of  the  Gaelic  Society's  Transactions.  It  is  as  follows  : — 

An  t-Eolas  a  rinn  Calum-Cille 

Dh'  aona  bh6  na  caillich  ; 

Bha  cas  Chalum-Chille  ''s  a'  churachan, 

'S  a  chas  eil'  air  tir : — 

A  thairbhein,  a  thainig  thar  chuan 

'S  o  bhun  na  talmhainn  fada  thall — 

Air  mhial  air  bhalg, 

1  My  informant  explained  ailbhinn  as  "  A'  chreag  a's  cruaidhe  th'  aon  " — 
(the  hardest  rock  there  is).  He  said  it  was  to  be  found  in  the  desert,  and  was 
so  hard  "that  blood  alone  would, soften  it  !'  "  Aill"  is  an  old  Celtic  word,, 
signifying  a  cliff  or  rock. 

•  Here  mention  the  name  of  the  beast — Niseag,  Blarag,  or  whatever  it  may 
be. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  173 

Air  ghalar  dearg, 
A  lughdachadh  do  bhuilg ; 
'S  a  mharbhadh  do  mhial, 
A  mharbhadh  fiolan  fionn, 
A  mharbhadh  fiolan  dorm, 
A  mharbhadh  blast  do  leann, 
A  mharbhadh  an  tairbhein. 
Gu'm  faigh  thn  leasachadh — 
Aghachain,  tog  do  cheann. 

Translated — 

The  charm  that  Columba  wrought 

For  the  old  wife's  only  cow  ; 

Columba's  one  foot  was  in  the  coracle 

Arid  the  other  on  land  : — 

Thou  tairbhean  that  earnest  over  sea 

And  from  the  foundations  of  the  earth  far  beyond  ; 

Against  worm,  against  swelling, 

Against  the  red  disease ; 

To  reduce  thy  swelling, 

And  to  kill  thy  worm  ; 

To  kill  the  white  iiescock, 

To  kill  the  brown  nescock, 

To  kill  the  worm  in  thy  bile, 

To  kill  the  tairbhean. 

May  thou  get  relief; 

Heifer,  raise  up  thine  head. 

Sealmachas. 

The  following  JEolas  is  for  Sealmachas.  Macalpine,  in  the  list 
of  Orras  already  given,  calls  it  "  Seamlachas."  When  a  cow  lost 
her  calf,  she  refused  to  give  her  milk,  or  allow  the  calf  of  another 
cow  to  suck  her.  This  Orra  was  said  to  induce  her  to  give  her 
milk,  or  allow  the  calf  of  another  to  suck  her.  Here  again  we  have 
St  Columba  mentioned.  The  Solas  was  as  follows  : — 

An  t-Eolas  a  rinu  Calum-Cille 
Dh'aona  bho  na  caillich, 
Air  thabhairt  a'  bhainne 
'N  deigh  marbhadh  a  laoigh  ; 
Bho  fheithean  a  droma 
Gu  feithean  atarra 
'S  bho  fheithean  a  tarra 
Gu  feithean  a  taobh, 


174  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Bho  bhun  a  da  chluaise, 
Gu  smuais  a  da  leise, 
Air  thabhairt  a'  bhaimje 
'N  deigh  marbhadh  a  laoigh. 
Translated — 

The  charm  that  St  Columba  wrought 

For  the  old  wife's  only  cow, 

For  the  giving  of  the  milk 

After  the  killing  of  her  calf  ; 

Be  from  the  veins  of  her  back 

To  the  veins  of  her  belly, 

From  the  veins  of  her  belly 

To  the  veins  of  her  side, 

From  the  roots  of  her  two  ears 

To  the  joints  of  her  ttvo  thighs, 

For  the  giving  of  the  milk 

After  the  killing  of  her  calf. 

In    the  following  Irish  Charm,  from  Mr  O'Faherty,  we  have 
St  Columba  similarly  presented  to  us  : — 

Ortha  a  chuir  Columb  Cille 
Do  bho  giolla  an  t-sonais. 
Ta  mo  chos  air  rnhuir  agus  mo  chos  air  tir. 
A  Righ  ta  ar  Neimh  foir  ar  m-boin 
Agus  bun  teanga  na  laoigh. 
Teiridh  a  bhaile  a's  beidh  si  slan  ! 
Translated — 

The  Charm  sent  by  St  Columba 

For  the  cow  of  the  Servitor  of  Peace — 

My  foot  is  on  the  sea  and  my  foot  is  on  land  ; 

0  King,  who  art  in  Heaven,  succour  the  cow, 

And  take  the  calf  under  your  protection. 

Come  home,  cow,  and  be  well. 

JRann  Leigheas  Galair  Cruidh. 

In  the  following  Eann  Icigheas  galair  cruidh,    we   have  Christ 
and  his  Apostles  instead  of  St  Columba  : — 

Criosd  is  Ostail  is  Eoin, 

An  Triuir  a's  binne  gloir, 

A  dh'  eirich  a  dheanamh  na  h-ortha, 

Koimh  dhorus  na  cathrach, 

No  air  glun  deas  do  Mhic. 


Gaelic  Incantations-  175 

Air  na  mnathan  mur-shuileach, 

Air  na  fearaibh  geur  shuileach, 

'S  air  na  saighdean  sitheadach, 

Dithis  a'  lasachadh  alt  agus  ga'n  adhachadh 

Agus  triuir  a  chuireas  mi  an  urra  riu  sin. 

An  t-Athair,  's  am  Mac,  's  an  Spiorad  Naomh, 

Ceithir  ghalara  fichead  an  aoraibh  duine  's  beathaich, 

Dia  ga  'n  sgiobadh,  Dia  ga  'n  sguabadh 

As  t'  fhuil  a's  t'  fheoil,  's  a  d'  chnamh  's  a  d'  smuais, 

'S  mar  thog  Criosda  meas  air  bharra  gach  crann, 

Gu  'm  b'  ann  a  thogas  E  dhiotsa 

Gach  suil,  gach  gnu  's  gach  farm  ad, 

O'n  la  'n  diugh  gu  latha  deireannach  do  shaoghail. 

Tranalated — 

Christ  and  his  Apostles  and  John, 

The  Three  of  most  excellent  glory, 

That  ascended  to  make  supplication 

Through  the  gateway  of  the  city, 

Fast  by  the  right  knee  of  God's  own  Son. 

As  regards  evil-eyed  flit.,  wall-eyed]  women, 

As  regards  sharp-eyed  men  ; 

AS  regards  swift-speeding  elf-arrows, 

Two  to  strengthen  and  renovate  the  joints, 

And  three  to  back  (these  two)  as  sureties, 

The  Father,  the  Son,  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Four-and-twenty  diseases  to  which  man  and   beast  are 

subject ; 

God  utterly  extirpate,  sweep  away,  and  eradicate  them 
From  out  thy  blood  and  flesh,  thy  bones  and  marrow, 
And  as  Christ  uplifted  its  proper  foliage  [fruit] 
To  the  extremities  or  the  branches  on  each  tree-top, 
So  may  he  uplift  from  off  and  out  of  thee 
Each  (evil)  eye,  each  frowning  look,  malice  and  envy, 
From  this  day  forth  to  thy  last  day  on  earth.     Amen. 

STRANGURY. 

The  next  Eolas  I  will  submit  to  you  is  Eolas  a'  Mhun-deirg,  or 
strangury  in  cattle.  The  performer  measured  the  animal's  spine 
with  the  thumb  and  fore-finger,  and  at  the  same  time  repeated 
the  following  Incantation  thrice  : — 

Mar  a  ruitheas  amhuinn  fhuar, 

'S  mar  a  mheiltheas  (bhleitheas)  muileann  luath, 

Stad  air  t-fhuil  a's  ruirh  ar  t-fhual. 


176  Gaelic  Society  of  Irwerness. 

Translated — 

As  runs  a  cold  river, 

As  a  swift  mill  grinds, 

Let  thy  blood  stop,  and  thy  urine  flow. 

Another  Uist  version  is  as  follows  : — 

A  bhean  sin  's  a  bhean  bhalbh, 
Thainig  thugainn  a  tir  nam  marbh  ; 
A  rug  air  a  choire  'na  cruth, 
Fuasgail  an  dubh  's  lig  an  dearg. 

A    PANACEA    FOR    ALL    ILLS. 

The  following  was  a  cure  for  all  the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to  :— 

Ola  cas  easgainn, 

Bainne-cich  circe, 

A's  geir  mheanbh-chuileag, 

Ann  an  adharc  muice, 

Agus  ite  cait  ga  shuathadh  ris. 

Translated — 

'    Oil  from  an  eel's  foot, 
Milk  from  a  hen's  teat, 
The  tallow  of  midges 
(Compounded)  In  the  horn  of  a  pig, 
And  rubbed  to  the  part  with  a  feather  from  a 
cat's  wing  ! 

The  above  was  as  potent  as  "  An  t-ian  a  thig  a  ubh  coilich, 
sgriosaidh  e  'n  saoghal  ! — (The  chicken  that  will  come  out  of  a 
cock's  egg  can  destroy  the  world). 

The  Irish  formula  for  the  cure  of  whooping-cough  is  somewhat 
similar  to  our  panacea.  If  a  relative  of  the  invalid  saw  a  man 
pass  on  horseback,  he  was  to  be  accosted  thus  : — 

"  A  ghiolla  an  eich  bhain  cad  a  liaghfadh  an  trioch  f 
"  Bainne  cich  circe  agus  e  bhleoghan  an  adharc  muice, 
Agus  cleite  cait  a  chur  ga  shuathadh  !" 

Translated— 

"0  rider  of  the  white  steed,  what  will  cure  the  whooping- 
cough  T 

"  Milk  from  a  hen's  teat,  milked  into  the  horn  of  a  pig, 
And  rubbed  on  with  a  cat's  feather." 


Gaelic  Incantations.  177 

Another  Irish  cure  for  the  whooping-cough  is  as  follows  : — The 
-god-father  buys  a  red  thread,  of  about  two  feet  in  length,  knots  it 
into  a  circle  or  collar,  and  puts  it  round  the  neck  of  the  god-child. 
This  is  supposed  to  relieve  the  latter  ! 

AMBIGUOUS    INCANTATIONS. 

Occasionally  one  meets  not  only  with  obscure  phrases,  but  also 
with  whole  Incantations,  the  meaning  of  which  is  far  from  clear. 
Here  is  one  : — 

Uisg'  an  Easain 
Air  mo  dhosan. 
Tog  dhiom  do  rosad 
'S  aghaidh  fir  an  cabhaig  orm  ! 

Will  any  learned  Gael  explain  its  meaning  and  purpose  ? 

THE    BLESSINGS. 

I  have  dwelt  at  such  length  on  Charms  intended  for 
cures,  etc.,  that  my  observations  on  Blessings  and  Miscel- 
laneous Charms  must  be  very  brief.  There  were  ceremonies 
.and  blessings  for  all  the  more  important  duties  engaged  in. 
When  the  cattle  were  sent  to  the  sheilings  in  the  early  summer, 
there  were  Blessings  suitable  for  the  occasion.  Specimens  of  these 
are  given  in  the  paper  on  "  Old  Hebridean  Hymns,"  contributed 
by  Mr  A.  A.  Carmichael  to  Lord  Napier's  Report  (Royal  Com- 
mission, Highlands  and  Islands,  1883). 

The  Blessing  of  the  Boats  was  a  ceremony  regularly  observed 
in  the  Outer  Islands ;  but  the  old  Gaelic  Blessings  appear  to  be 
now  forgotten.  Bishop  Carsewell  gives  a  Boat  Blessing  (Modh 
Beandaighthe  luinge  ag  dul  diondsaidhe  na  fairrge)  in  his  Gaelic 
translation  of  the  Liturgy  of  John  Knox:  and  the  manner  of 
Alexander  Macdonald's  "  Beannachadh"  of  the  Birlinn  of  Clan 
Ranald  indicates  that  such  Blessings  were  common  in  his  time. 
In  the  Ritual  of  the  Church  of  Rome  there  is  a  Blessing  for  a  New 
Ship — "  Benedictio  Novce.  JVavis" — and  this  Blessing  is  regularly 
attended  to  in  the  Catholic  parts  of  the  Hebrides.  The  ceremony 
is  quite  a  short  one.  The  priest  goes  on  board  the  new  boat,  says 
the  Benedictio,  and  sprinkles  the  boat  with  Holy  Water.  This 
ceremony  is  repeated  every  time  there  is  a  change  in  the  crew. 

The  Barra  fishermen  always  carry  a  bottle  of  Holy  Water  in 
the  prow  of  the  boat,  and  a  Blessed  Candle  in  the  cabin.  When 
in  danger  they  sprinkle  themselves  and  boat  with  Holy  Water, 
..and,  lighting  the  Blessed  Candle  in  the  cabin  gather  round  it  on 

12 


178  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

their  knees  and  say  their  prayers.  In  throwing  out  the  long  lines, 
and  nets,  they  do  so  invoking  the  Three  Persons  of  the  Trinity. 

According  to  Hibbert  a  somewhat  similar  practice  prevailed 
among  the  ancient  Shetlanders.  A  layman  assuming  the  role  of 
an  ecclesiastic  muttered  certain  religious  Incantations  over  water. 
The  element  was  then  named  "  Forespoken  Water,"  and  boats 
were  sprinkled  with  it,  and  limbs  washed  with  it. 

The  fishing  in  Barra  is  annually  inaugurated  with  religious 
services  in  the  Church  on  St  Bride's  Day — La  Fheill  Brighde  ; 
and  until  six  years  ago  the  fishing  banks  were  distributed  among 
the  various  crews.1  The  ceremony  of  distributing  the  banks  was 
carried  on  by  means  of  casting  lots,  under  the  direction  of  the 
priest.  As  the  people  left  the  Church,  they  chanted  one  of  their 
old  Hymns  : — 

Athair,  a  Mhic,  's  a  Spioraid  Naoimh, 
Biodh  an  Tri-'u-Aon  leinn  a  la'  's  a  dh-oidhoh'. 
Air  chul  nan  tomi,  no  air  thaobh  nam  beann 
Biodh  ar  Mathair  leinn,  's  biodh  a  lamh  mu'r  ceanii. 

Translated— 

0  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit, 
May  the  Three-iii-One  protect  us  night  and  day  ! 
On  the  tossing  billows  or  on  the  mountain, 
May  Mary's  arm  be  our  guard  alway  ! 

According  to  Hebridean  tradition,  a  Celtic  Saint  blessed 
Barra  with  these  words — "  Toradh  mara  gu  tir  a'  Cuile  Mhoire," 
implying  that  the  produce  of  the  ocean  might  be  brought 
from  the  Virgin  Mary's  private  store-room  to  the  shore.  The  sea 
was  regarded  as  the  Virgin's  Treasury,  and  when  an  unexpected 
haul  of  fish  was  landed,  it  was  observed  it  came  from  Cuile  Mhoire, 
or  the  secret  store  of  the  Virgin.  Among  boat  names  in  Barra  a 
noticeable  one  may  be  mentioned,  viz.,  "  Maris  Stella."  Then 
the  devotional  character  of  the  Barra  fisherman  as  he  commences 
his  vocation  for  the  season  is  well  depicted  in  the  following 
beautiful  hymn  from  Father  Allan  Macdonald's  Collection?— 

1  A  similar  practice  formerly  prevailed  in  parts  of  Shetland.  Edmonston, 
who  published  his  "  Zetland  Islands"  in  1809,  informs  us  that  the  fishermen 
of  the  Island  of  Burra,  to  the  west  of  Scalloway,  "divide  the  range  of  the 
fishing  ground  ;  and  the  occupier  of  a  farm  has  generally  also  a  particular  spot 
allotted  to  him  on  which  he  sets  his  lines."- -Vide  Vol.  I.,  p.  234. 


Gaelic  Incantations.  179 

Dia  'bhith  timchioll  air  an  sgothaidh 

Mu'n  imich  i  gu  doimhneachd  mara  : 
Slig'  air  linne  dhuinn  a  treuntachd, 

Mur  eil  freasdal  De  ga  faire. 

Faiceamaid  do  shoillse,  'Mhoire, 

'Nuair  tha  stoirm  is  oidhche  'gleac  ruinn  ; 

Gur  a  tusa  "  Rcul  na  Mara,"  l 

'S  e  faire  'n  eigiunich  do  chleachdadh. 

'Aingil  ghil,  dian  thusa  ml  duinn, 

'Threoraicheas  ar  siubh'l  feadh  gharbh-thonn  : 
Sgiath  do  churaim  sgaoil  mu'n  cuairt  duinn, 

'Nuair  chirmeas  gruaim  air  gnuis  na  fairge. 

Guidheamaid  do  thaic-sa,  Theadair, 

Gun  thu  :leigeil  beud  'n  ar  caramh  : 
Chuireadh  muinntir  cuain  na  d'  fhreasdal, 

Teasruig  sinn  bho  ascall  mara. 

Gur  a  buidhe  dhuinn  an  cosnadh 

'Bha  na  h-Ostail  fhein  a'  cleachdadh  ; 
'S  minig  bha  Mac  De  na'n  cuideachd 

'Cur  an  tuigse  dhuinn  a  thlachd  deth. 

'Dhia,  beannaich  ar  driamlach, 

'N  lion,  's  gach  irineal-glacaidh  'th'  againn  ; 
lomain  thuca  mar  is  iomchaidh 

Spreidh  'tha  'g  ionaltradh  's  an  aigeann. 

Beannaich  thusa  dhuinn  ar  curachd, 

Cha'n  urrainn  nach  tig  cuibheas  oirre  ; 
Gu'm  meallarnaid  a'  Bheannachd  Bharrach — 

"  Toradh  mar'  a  Guile  Mhoire  !" 

'Nuair  a's  fheudar  dhuinn  'bhi  tilleadh 

Stiuir  Thu  cinnteach  sinn  gu  cala. 
Ma  chuir  Thu  oirnne  seach  ar  feuma 

Cha'n  fhaicear  leinn  an  deirceach  falamh. 

Na  leig  thugainn  bas  le  graide, 

Orduich  Sagart  'bhi  m'ar  timchioll ; 
Naomhaich  le  d'  Ola  's  le  d'  Chorp  sinn, 

Mu'n  teid  anam  bochd  air  iomrall. 

1  "  Maris  Stella." 


180  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

In  connection  with  these  religious  services  in  Barra,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  in  some  parts  of  Ireland  the  fishing  season  used  to 
be  commenced  by  saying  Mass  on  the  ocean.  The  late  A.  M. 
Sullivan  describes  this  ceremony,  as  he  witnessed  it  in  his  youth 
at  Bantry  Bay.  He  says  : — 

"  Few  sights  could  be  more  picturesque  than  the  ceremony  by 
which,  in  our  bay,  the  fishing  season  was  formally  opened. 
Selecting  an  auspicious  day,  unusually  calm  and  fine,  the  boats, 
from  every  creek  and  inlet  for  miles  around,  assembled  at  a  given 
point,  and  then,  in  solemn  procession,  rowed  out  to  sea,  the  leading 
boat  carrying  the  priest  of  the  district.  Arrived  at  the  distant 
fishing-ground,  the  clergyman  vested  himself,  an  altar  was  impro- 
vised on  the  stern-sheets,  the  attendant  fleet  drew  around,  and 
every  head  was  bared  and  bowed  while  thjj  Mass  was  said.  I  have 
seen  this  *  Mass  on  the  ocean'  when  not  a  breeze  stirred,  and  the 
tinkle  of  the  little  bell  or  the  murmur  of  the  priest's  voice  was 
the  only  sound  that  reached  the  ear ;  the  blue  hills  of  Bantry 
faint  on  the  horizon  behind  us,  and  nothing  nearer  beyond  than 
the  American  shore  !" — (New  Ireland). 

There  is  a  story  told  of  a  fisherman  in  one  of  the  Western 
Islands,  whose  prayer  before  going  to  sea  was  of  a  somewhat 
different  tone.  He  considered  himself  a  very  respectful  man 
(duine  modhail),  and  addressed  the  Deity  as  Sibhse  (You)  instead 
of  the  customary  Tkusa  (Thou).  On  one  occasion  when  going  to 
sea,  danger  was  anticipated,  and  he  prayed — 

"  Ud  a  Thighearna  Dhia,  Ruin,  na  'm  biodh  Sibh  cho  math  a's 
curam  a  ghabhail  do  Mhairi  's  do  Sheonaid  ;  ach  a'  Bhan-Diabhul, 
nighean  Phara  Mhic-a'-Phearsain,  deanadh  i  a  roghainn  :  bithidh 
fear  eile  aice  ma  'g  bi  mise  ithte  aig  na  partain  !" 
Translated — 

"  0  Lord  God,  my  Beloved,  if  You  would  be  so  good  as  to  take 
the  care  of  Mary  and  Jessie  ;  but  that  She-Devil,  the  daughter  of 
Peter  Macpherson,  let  her  take  her  choice  :  she  will  have  another 
kusband  before  I  am  eaten  by  the  crabs  !" 

Mary  and  Jessie  were  his  daughters.  Needless  to  say  the 
"  she-devil"  was  his  wife. 

CONCLUSION. 

I  feel  that  this  paper  has  extended  far  beyond  the  limits 
usually  allowed,  and  that  no  matter  how  interesting  the  subject 
may  be  in  itself,  I  must  now  conclude.  In  doing  so,  I  cannot 
adopt  more  fitting  language  than  that  used  by  the  Hebridean 
peasant  on  finishing  the  labours  of  the  day,  and  before  retiring  for 
night.  When  smooring  the  fire  he  says — 


Gaelic  Incantations.  181 

Smalaidh  mise  'n  nochd  an  teine, 

Mar  a  smalas  Mac  Moire  ; 

Gu'm  bu  slan  an  tigh  's  an  teine, 

Gu'm  bu  slan  a'  chuideachd  uile. 

Co  bhios  air  an  lar  ? 

Peadar  agus  Pal. 

Co  bhios  air  an  fhaire  nochd  1 

Moire  mhin-gheal  's  a  Mac. 

Bial  De  a  labhras, 

Aingeal  geal  a  db'  innseas — 

Aingeal  an  dorus  an  tighe, 

Ga'r  comhnadh  's  ga'r  gleidheadh 

Gus  an  tig  an  solus  geal  a  maireach.1 

He  then  says  the  following  Altachadh  Laidhe,  or  Bed-going 
Prayer : — 

Tha  mise  nochd  a  dol  a  laidhe — 

Ma's  a  bas  dhomh  anns  a'  bhas  chadail.2 

Gu'm  b'  ann  air  deas  laimh  Dhe  'dhuisgeas  mi. 

A  Righ  na  h-ola  firinnich 

Na  diobair  sinn  bho  d'  mhuinritearas, 

A  liuthad  lochd, 

A  rinn  mo  chorp, 

'S  nach  fhaod  mi  nochd  a  chuimhneachadh, 
Dia  agus  Moire  agus  Micheil, 
Bhi  learn  bho  mhullach  mo  chinn, 
Gu  traighean  mo  bhuinn. 

Guidheam  Peadar,  guidheam  Pol, 

Guidheam  Moire  Oigh  's  a  Mac, 

Guidheam  an  da  Ostal  deug, 

Gu'n  mi  dhol  eug  gun  'ur  leas. 

1  The  peasants  of  Connemara  have  a  somewhat  similar  "smooring" 
blessing.  In  Siamsa  an  Gheimhridh,  at  page  139,  there  is  the  following 
prayer  : — 

An  Phaidir  a  dcirtcar  nig  coiyilt  na  teinneadh  roimh  dul  a,  chodladh. 
Coiglim-se  an  teinne  seo  mar  choigil  Criost  ca"thach  ; 
Brighde  faoi  na  bun  agus  Mac  Muire  in  a  lar  ; 
Na  tri  aingeala  is  mo  cumhachd  i  g-cuirt  na  ngras 
A'  ctimhdach  's  a  coimheid  an  tigh  seo  's  a  muinntir  airis  go  la.    Amen. 

A  version  of  the  same  Paidir  from  Cork  is  somewhat  different — 
Coiglim  an  teine  so  mar  choigleann  Criost  cdch, 
Muire  air  dha  cheann  an  tighe,  a's  Brighde  in  a  Idr, 
Gach  a  bhfuil  d'ainglibh  's  de  naomhaibh  i  gcathair  na  ngras 
Ag  cosant  's  ag  coimead  lucht  an  tighe  seo  go  Id. 

2  In  Ireland  the  expression  "  Bas  cadalta  na  h-oidhche"  is  used. 


182  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

On  getting  into  bed  he  says  the  Altachadh  Leapa,  or  Bed  Prayer, 
as  follows  *  : — 

Laidhidh  mi  nochd 

Le  Moire  's  le  'Mac  ; 

'S  le  Brighde  fo  brat, 

Le  Domhnach  nam  feart, 

Le  Mathair  mo  Righ 

Ga  m'  dhion  bho  gach  lot ; 

Cha  laidh  mi  leis  an  olc  ; 

Cha  laidh  an  t-olc  learn  ; 

Eiridh  mi  le  Dia 

Ma's  ceadach  le  Dia  leigeil  learn, 

Deas-lamh  Dhia 

Is  Chriosta  gun  robh  leani ; 

Crois  nan  Naomh  's  nan  AingCal  learn, 

Bho  mhullach  mo  chinn 

Gu  traighean  mo  bhuinn 

A  chionn  Dia  agus  Moire 

A  chuideachadh  leam  ; 

A  Righ,  agus,  a  Mhoire  ghloirmhor, 

A  Mhic  na  h-Oighe  cubhraidh, 

Saoir  sinn  bho  phiantainean 

'S  bho  thigh  iosal  dorcha  duinte. 

Dion  ann  a's  as  ar  colunn 

Ar  n-anama  bochda 

A  tha  air  fior  chor-oisinn  na  firinn. 

Guidheam  Peadar,  guidheam  Pol, 

Guidheam  Moire  Oigh  's  a  Mac, 

Guidheam  an  da  Ostal  deug 

Gu'n  mi  dhol  eug  gun  'ur  leas. 

M'anam  a  bhi  air  do  laimh  dheis  a  Thighearna  ; 

Bho  'n  's  Tu  a  cheannaich  e  ; 

Micheil  Naomh  a  bhi  'n  comhail  m'anama 

Nise  agus  aig  uair  mo  bhais.     Amen. 

1  The  Irish  have  a  similar  prayer.     I  quote  it  also  from  the  Siamsa,  and 
is  as  follows  :— 

An  Phaidir  a  deirtear  'nuair  luighcas  duine  air  a  leabaidh. 
Luigheam  leat  losa,  agus  go  luidhidh  tu  Horn  ; 
Ola  Chriost  air  m'  anam,  Cre  na  n-Abstol  os  mo  chionn. 
A  Athair  a  chruthaigh  me", 
A  Mhic  a  cheannaigh  me, 
A  Spioraid  Naoimh  a  bheannaigh  me". 
A  Bhainrioghan  na  gile,  a's  a  Bhainrioghan  na  h-6ige, 
Tog  me  as  na  peacadhaibh  agus  cuir  me  air  an  eolas, 
Agus  cuir  in  mo  chroidhe  an  aithrighe  go  silfead  na  dedra, 
'S  ma  ta  s^  i  n-diin  dam  has  d'  fhaghail  roimb  rnhaidin, 
I  seilbh  na  glore  go  raibh  m'  anam.     Amen. 


Sutherland  Place  ttames.  183 

30th  MARCH,   1892. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members 
-of  the  Society,  viz.  : — Mr  Alex.  Crerar  and  Mr  James  Macdonald, 
Kingussie ;  Mr  Ewen  Kennedy,  Newtonmore ;  and  Mr  Alex. 
Fraser,  Clerk,  High  Street,  Inverness.  The  paper  for  the  evening 
was  contributed  by  Mr  John  Mackay,  J.P.,  Hereford,  entitled 
"  Sutherland  Place  Names — Parishes  of  Kildonan  and  Reay."  Mr 
Mackay's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

*         SUTHERLAND  PLACE  NAMES. 

PARISH  OF  KILDONAX. 

The  general  appearance  of  this  parish,  like  many  other  parishes 
in  the  county,  is  mountainous.  The  most  elevated  mountain, 
Beinn-griam-Mor,  has  an  altitude  of  1934  feet  above  sea  level. 
Several  others  on  the  confines  of  the  parish  attain  to  higher  altitudes. 
Its  inland  boundary  line  is  the  water  shed  to  the  various  rivers 
and  streams  flowing  south,  north,  east,  and  westwards.  Its  lakes 
are  numerous,  forming  reservoirs  for  its  principal  river,  the  High, 
or  as  natives  sometimes  pronounce  it,  Uillie,  into  which  all  the 
minor  rivers  and  streams  fall,  frequently  causing  it  to  be  subject  to 
inundations,  and  generally  to  have  a  fuller  quantity  of  water  in 
it  for  more  months  in  the  year  than  many  other  rivers,  thus  afford- 
ing, with  the  numerous  lakes  connected  with  it,  the  best  trout 
angling  anywhere.  The  "High"  river,  following  its  sinuosities, 
has  a  length  of  considerably  over  30  miles,  and  in  that  distance 
has  only  a  fall  of  770  feet. 

The  valley  of  the  "  High,"  or  Kildonan  Strath,  comprises  the 
•chief  arable  land  of.  the  parish.  Into  its  upper  portions  a  number 
of  small  glens  run  down  from  the  higher  grounds,  giving  the  whole 
district  a  configuration  somewhat  resembling  the  form  of  a  tree, 
•of  which  the  strath  forms  the  trunk,  and  the  converging  glens,  the 
branches. 

The  area  of  the  parish  is  138,407  acres,  of  which  169  are  fore- 
shore and  3922  water.  The  predominant  rocks  are  granite, 
sylite,  and  gneiss.  In  1869  gold  was  discovered  in  the  Suisgill 
Burn,  about  a  mile  above  Kildonan,  by  a  gold-digger  returned  from 
Australia,  causing  great  commotion,  and  attracting  a  number  of 
people  to  the  spot.  For  a  short  time  the  gold-seekers  were  sucess- 
f ul,  but  when  the  alluvial  area  of  the  Suisgill  Burn  was  turned  over, 
-and  washed  by  the  diggers,  the  "  find  "  of  gold  fell  off,  and  farther 
•operations  abandoned  without  effectually  trying  whence  the  small 
nuggets  found  had  come.  Many  years  ago  a  nugget  found  here 
was  presented  to  the  Countess  of  Sutherland,  made  into  a  ring  of 


184  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

massive  size,  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  present  Duke. 
The  value  of  the  gold  found  in  1869-70  has  been  estimated  as  high 
as  £10,000. 

The  soil  of  the  Strath  is  light  and  fertile.  The  present  Duke 
of  Sutherland,  who  is  sole  proprietor,  reclaimed  hundreds  of  acres 
on  the  hill  flanks  of  the  Strath,  at  Kinbrace  and  Achintoul,  4001 
and  500  feet  above  sea  level,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  home 
wintering  for  his  sheep  farms,  but  the  costly  operations  have  not 
been  attended  with  the  anticipated  success. 

The  whole  of  the  native  population  of  this  parish  concentrated 
in  Stra'-lligh,  and  in  the  converging  glens,  was  displaced,  in  fact 
evicted  ana  expelled  from  their  homes,  from  1811  to  1819  for  the 
wanton  purpose  of  forming  the  whole  extent  into  huge  sheep 
farms.  Those  of  the  population  unable  to  emigrate  to  America, 
the  only  home  of  colony  refuge  theii^Sn  vogue,  wrere  located  in 
small  plots  of  land  of  2  to  3  acres  on  the  hill  flanks  near  the  coast, 
about  Helmsdale  and  Portgower,  to  be  reclaimed  as  best  they 
might,  and  livelihood  obtained  from  the  then  supposed  El-Dorado 
of  the  sea.  The  result  of  this  harsh  proceeding  was  that  a  popula- 
tion of  1574  in  1811  dwindled  to  237  in  1821,  when  a  few  years, 
thereafter  Helmsdale,  which  previously  formed  part  of  the  parish 
of  Loth,  was  annexed  to  Kildonan  to  equalise  the  population  of 
both,  and  obliterate  the  disparity  caused  by  the  ill-advised  and 
cruel  evictions. 

There  are  still  remaining  in  the  Strath  of  Kildonan  numerous 
indications  of  a  large  population  in  very  remote  times,  if  Pictish 
towers,  tumuli,  and  hut  circles  be  one,  and  in  more  recent  days, 
the  "  Kils  "  or  "  Cells  "  of  the  Christian  missionaries  be  another. 
At  Kilpheder  are  two  so-called  Pictish  towers,  one  on  each  side  of 
the  High,  said  to  be  connected  by  an  underground  passage  built 
in  masonry,  and  all  round  them  cairns,  tumuli,  and  hut  circles. 
At  Kilearnan,  further  up  the  river,  are  other  two  similarly  con- 
nected and  surrounded.  At  Kildonan  and  Learable  are  ancient 
burial  places  and  many  tumuli ;  at  Suisgill,  a  Pictish  tower,  and 
another  in  Strath  Free,  with  the  usual  surroundings  of  cairns, 
tumuli,  and  hut  circles.  At  Kinbrace  some  more  of  the  same 
description.  These  surely  indicate  centres  and  locations  of  the 
population  in  prehistoric  times.  The  "  Kils  "  or  "  Cells,"  chapels 
of  the  Christian  missionaries,  indicate  the  same  fact  in  more  recent 
days,  such  as  Kilpheder,  Kildonan,  Kilearnan,  Kilmuir,  and 
Kil-ninian,  all  of  them  established  by  the  Culdee  monks  before,  and 
after,  Columba's  time,  or  dedicated  to  their  memory. 

The  parish,  when  ecclesiastically  formed,  took  its  name  from 
the  principal  church  situated  in  the  middle  of  the  Strath,  founded 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  185 

there  by  the  Culdee  missionary,  Donan,  or  one  of  his  follower* 
about  the  sixth  century.  In  connection  with  this  Culdee  apostle,, 
Mr  Skene,  in  his  chronicles  of  the  Picts  and  Scots,  gives  a  tragical 
account  of  the  martyrdom  of  Donan  and  fifty  of  his  "  muinnter" 
or  followers,  by  a  band  of  pirates  in  the  Island  of  Eigg  in  617. 
Probably  enough  these  pirates  were  Scandinavians  roaming  in 
quest  of  plunder  years  before  they  attempted  settlements  in  the 
islands,  or  on  the  mainland.  It  has  been  said  that  the  Scandi- 
navians had  been  incited  to  this  course  ot  action  by  the  Druid 
priests  who  sought  refuge  in  Norway  from  the  North  of  Scotland 
and  the  Orkneys;  on  account  of  the  persecutions  raised  against 
them  by  the  missionaries  of  the  new  religion,  in  the  hope  of 
extirpating  these  missionaries  and  regaining  their  own  lost  influ- 
ence. Be  that  as  it  may,  the  Norsemen,  very  soon  after  their 
plundering  expeditions,  began  to  form  permanent  settlements  in  the 
Hebrides  and  Sudereys,  and  upon  the  coasts  of  Caithness,  and 
finding,  their  way  into  Sutherland  by  land  and  sea,  gradually 
penetrated  into  the  heights  of  Kildonan,  taking  possession,  sub- 
jecting the  natives  or  driving  them  into  the  interior  glens.  Their 
footprints  still  remain  in  Kildouan  parish.  The  Orkneyinga  Saga, 
and  Torfaeus,  relate  about  the  middle  of  the  12th  century  that  these 
redoubtable  invaders  held  full  control  in  Caithness  and  on  the 
coasts  of  Sutherland,  as  at  that  time  even  a  Lady,  Frakark,  was 
one  exercising  great  influence  in  both  counties,  and  had  a  seat  at 
Kinbrace,  on  the  Hial  mundal  (Helmsdale),  the  daughter  of  a 
wealthy  man  living  at  Bighouse  on  the  North  Coast.  This  lady 
and  her  sister  Helga  were  veritable  amazons.  Frakark  was  the 
mother  of  another  virago,  a  Countess  of  Athole.  Native  tradition 
points  out  the  ruins,  of  Frakark's  seat  at  Kinbrace.  The  Saga 
corroborates  it,  and  records  a  tragical  tale  in  connection  with  it. 
At  this  very  time  there  lived  at  "  Lambaburg,"  now  Freswick,  a 
remarkable  man,  celebrated  as  a  pirate  of  the  first  class,  named 
Swein  Asleifson  (son  of  Asleif  who  was  his  mother);  brave,1  astute,, 
and  of  great  strength,  he  had  possessions  in  Caithness  and  the 
Orkneys,  and  strongholds  in  both  to  which  he  carried  his  booty, 
and  made  merry  all  the  winter  with  his  retainers  and  followers. 
He  made  two  expeditions  every  year.  When  absent  he  left  one 
of  his  chief  men  in  care  of  each  castle.  The  Lady  Frakark  con- 
ceived some  grudge  against  Swein.  She  instigated  one  of  her 
henchmen  to  assassinate  Swein's  man  in  Freswick,  who  made  him- 
self obnoxious  to  her.  The  deed  was  done.  Swein  on  his  return 
was  informed  of  all  that  had  taken  place.  He  was  intensely 
grieved  at  the  loss  of  his  man,  he  concealed  his  anger,  but  silently 


186  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

vowed  revenge.  He  knew  Frakark's  power  and  influential  position. 
He  passed  over  to  the  Orkneys  to  lay  his  complaint  before  Earl 
Rognvald,  the  lord  superior  of  the  Orkneys  and  Katenes,  and  repre- 
sent to  him  the  perfidious  act  committed  by  Frakark,  in  fomenting 
quarrels  and  instigating  assassinations.  The  Earl,  desirous  of 
allaying  Swein's  anger,  represented  to  him  that  Frakark  was  very 
influential,  and  having  so  many  followers  it  was  much  better  to  let 
her  alone  and  overlook  what  had  been  done,  that  he  himself  was 
very  adverse  to  fresh  feuds  being  kindled,  which  would  have  very  bad 
results.  Swein  listened  to  all  that  the  Earl  advanced,  but  did 
not  seem  satisfied.  The  Earl  at  last  offered  him  ransom  for  the 
loss  of  his  man  and  assistance  for  his  next  expedition,  on  condition 
that  Frakark  should  not  be  molested.  Swein  feigned  compliance. 
A  great  feast  was  made  to  ratify  the  agreement.  Next  summer 
'Swein  asked  the  Earl  for  two  ships, find  on  the  Earl  asking  him 
where  he  intended  going,  he  told  him  to  the  coast  of  Scotland. 
He  obtained  the  ships  and  .sailed  away.  He  made  for  th£  Moray 
Firth,  but  sailed  up  the  Ekkials-bakki  (Oykel),  landed  the  greater 
part  of  the  men,  sent  the  rest  with  the  ships  to  meet  him  at  Fres- 
wick.  He  at  once  procured  guides,  and  struck  into  the  centre  of 
Sutherland,  then,  turning  to  his  right,  came  down  Strath  Free  in 
the  twilight  and  near  Kinbrace  surprised  Frakark's  sentinels,  over- 
came all  opposition,  took  and  burnt  the  Castle  with  herself,  her 
sister  Helga,  and  all  who  took  refuge  in  it,  laid  it  in  ruins, 
plundered  all  round,  and  made  off  to  Freswick  with  a  large  booty. 
The  ruins  of  this  castle  are  still  to  be  seen  near  Kinbrace,  and  still 
called  "  Carn  Suine"  (Swein's  Cairn). 

A  younger  brother  of  this  celebrated  pirate  and  vikingr,  named 
Gunni,  is  said  to  have  been  the  progenitor  of  the  Clan  Gunn,  as 
bold  and  resolute  a  race  of  men  as  any  in  the  Highlands,  worthy 
of  their  Norse  origin.  Gunni  and  his  sons  acquired  considerable 
possessions  and  great  influence  in  Caithness  on  the  decline  of 
Norse  supremacy,  which  they  maintained  for  several  generations, 
till  the  Keiths  came  into  the  country  on  the  demise  of  Ronald 
Cheyne,  whose  daughter  a  Keith  had  married.  The  territories  of 
the  Keiths  and  Gunns  adjoined.  Feuds  soon  commenced  between 
them,  and  were  carried  on  with  varying  success.  In  1438  the 
Keiths,  obtaining  the  aid  of  the  Mackays,  who  were  ever  ready  for 
a  fray  or  a  foray,  overthrew  the  Gunns  in  a  bloody  conflict  on  the 
Moor  of  Tannach,  three  miles  from  Wick,  yet  the  feud  still  con- 
tinued for  many  years,  each  striving  to  inflict  as  much  loss  as 
possible  on  the  other.  In  1464,  wearied  with  these  incessant 
broils,  the  Keith,  says  a  Sutherland  tradition,  came  one  evening 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  187 

to  the  Gunn's  residence,  blew  his  horn,  and  demanded  hospitality. 
He  was  invited  in  and  nobly  entertained,  the  Gunn  telling  him  he 
was  perfectly  safe  under  his  roof,  notwithstanding  the  difference 
between  them.  The  Keith  noticing  twelve  fine-looking  stalwart 
.  men  round  the  Gunn's  table,  asked  who  they  were  ;  he  was  told  by 
the  Cruner  Mor  Gunn  that  they  were  his  sons,  and  equal  to  any 
other  twelve  men  m  Caithness.  Before  they  parted  it  was  agreed 
between  the  two  chiefs  that  they  should  meet  at  a  certain  place  on 
a  day  agreed  upon,  on  horseback,  accompanied  by  their  twelve 
sons  also  on  horseback,  to  arrange  all  disputes  between  them 
peaceably,  or  failing  so  desirable  a  termination,  to  decide  it  with 
the  sword.  The  day  arrived,  the  Gunns,  father  and  sons,  were  the 
first  to  arrive.  The  Keiths  soon  after  came  in  sight,  but  on  ap- 
proaching nearer,  the  Gunns  perceived  that  the  Keiths  had  two 
men  on  each  horse.  They  at  once  suspected  the  Keiths  were  not 
on  a  peaceful  meeting  bent,  but  they  determined  to  stand  their 
ground.  No  sooner  had  they  met  than  swords  were  drawn,  and  a 
furious  conflict  began.  Numbers  prevailed.  The  Cruner  Mor 
Gunn  and  seven  of  his  sons  were  slain.  The  Keiths  suffered  severely, 
and  after  their  victory  retired  to  Dirlet,  then  held  by  the 
"  Ridear  Dearg,"  a  relation  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  who  enter- 
tained them  hospitably,  and  attended  to  their  wounded.  The 
defeated  Gunns  retired  some  distance  from  the  field,  and  watched 
the  direction  taken  by  the  Keiths.  Three  of  the  un wounded 
Gunns  followed  them,  and  at  night  ?ame  to  Dirlet.  Through  an 
open  window  Henry,  the  youngest  son  of  the  Cruner  Mor,  saw  the 
Keiths  regaling  themselves.  He  at  once  drew  his  bow  and  sent 
an  arrow  straight  into  the  breast  of  the  Keith,  exclaiming  as  he  so 
did,  "lomachaiag  na  Qumnich  gu  Kaigh"  (the  Gunns'  compli- 
ments to  the  Keiths).  The  Keiths  rushed  to  the  door,  the  Gunns 
planted  themselves  on  each  side  of  it  and  slew  several  of  them  as 
they  came  out,  but  James,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Gunn,  dissuaded 
his  other  two  brothers  from  continuing  the  fight,  and  drew  away 
in  the  dark.  The  younger  brother  Henry,  who  killed  the  Keith, 
enraged  at  James  for  drawing  away,  upbraided  him  for  his  cowar- 
dice in  giving  up  a  combat  so  favourable  to  a  few  in  the  darkness 
of  night.  This  led  to  other  differences,  which  induced  James  to 
remove  from  Caithness  to  Kildonan.  From  this  James,  the  Chief 
of  the  Gunns,  acquired  the  patronymic  of  Mac  Hamish  (son  of 
James),  while  the  Caithness  Gunns  altered  their  names  to  Robson, 
Williamson,  Henry  son  (Henderson). 

Settled  in  Kildonan  in  the  early  part  of  the  16th  century,  the 
Gunns   became,   under  the   Earl  of  Sutherland,  Wardens  of  the 


188  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Marches,  a  very  risky  title,  but  they  proved  themselves  equal  to 
the  risk  and  the  danger.  Such  a  resolute  race  inured  to  fight, 
feud,  and  foray,  provoked  assaults  as  well  as  repelled  them. 
Raids  and  conflicts  became  continuous.  They  raided  on  the  Mac- 
kays,  the  Mackays  upon  them.  When  the  foray  was  made  into 
Sutherland  the  Gunns  were  ready  to  aid  in  repelling  them. 
When  it  was  a  Sinclair  invasion  of  Sutherland,  the  Gunns  were 
first  to  give  warning  and  meet  the  enemy.  In  1586,  with  the  aid 
of  a  party  of  the  Mackays,  they  inflicted  a  severe  defeat  upon  the 
Sinclairs  on  the  confines  of  Caithness.  It  became  notable,  which- 
ever side  the  Mackays  were  on,  won  the  victory.  After  the  Mac- 
kay  Chief  married  the  sister  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  in  1589, 
the  Sinclairs  declined  in  power,  and  the  expulsion  of  the  Gunns 
from  Caithness  followed.  Yet  it  was  not  till  the  first  Lord  Reay 
became  Chief  of  the  Clan,  in  1614,^;har  Sutherland  and  Caithness 
in  some  fashion  settled  mutual  difference,  to  break  out  again  by 
the  artifices  of  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  who  seemed  determinedly  bent 
upon  humbling  the  Sinclair  Earls,  and  elevating  the  Sutherlands. 
He  played  artfully  with  his  nephew,  Lord  Reay,  till  he  despoiled 
him  of  a  third  of  the  possessions  left  to  him  by  his  father. 

MOUNTAIN    NAMES. 

Ben-griam-mor — G.,  grim,  giimeach,  barren,  rugged,  the  big 
barren  or  rugged  mountain ;  the  adjective,  mor,  applies  more 
specially  to  its  greater  extent  of  base,  than  to  its  greater  altitude 
above  its  near  neighbour,  Ben-griam-beg.  An  old  Gaelic  word, 
griama,  signifying  lichen,  suits  the  pronunciation  (grime).  I  am 
not  aware  that  lichen  grows  upon  it.  The  word  griam  may 
probably  be  Norse,  from  grim,  grima,  hood,  or  mask,  which  would 
be  applicable  enough  in  reference  to  its  being  frequently  mist 
capped,  then  the  definition  would  be  the  "  big  mist  capped 
mountain,"  1936  feet. 

Ben-griam-beg — G.  or  N.,  the  little  mist  capped,  or  mist 
hooded  mountain,  1903  feet ;  it  has  a  less  area  of  base  ;  griam  may 
mean  gloom,  from  gruaim,  gloom,  dark,  sullen,  cloudy.  One  who 
knows  these  mountains  well  states,  "  In  cloudy  weather  it  is 
interesting  to  watch  how,  when  a  cloud  wraps  one  in  its  passage, 
the  other  also  soon  puts  on  its  mourning  robe,  as  if  from  sheer 
sympathy.  They  would,  to  the  poetic  imagination  of  the  Celt, 
appear  like  two  mourners,  and  hence  '  An  da  bheinn-ghruaim,'  the 
two  mountains  of  gloom  or  clouds."  The  Norse  signification  given 
presents  the  same  aspect. 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  189 

Ben-Armuinn — G.,  beinn-oir-na-minn  ;  oir,  limit,  or  border  ; 
minn,  kids,  the  mcnuitaiii  of  the  limit  or  border  of  the  kids,  where 
kids  could  go  no  higher ;  Ir.,  oir,  Corn  ;  oir,  limit,  W.  or  Gr., 
•or-os,  and  our-a,  limit,  2250  feet  high. 

Cnoc-na-maoile — G.,  maoile,  baldness,  the  bald  hill,  1315  feet, 
in  reference  to  its  bare  and  smooth  summit. 

Cnoc-an-leat-mhor — G.,  cnoc-an-leathad-mhor ;  leathad,  side  of  a 
hill,  hill  of  the  big  .side,  1423  feet. 

Cnoc-na-bo-riabhaich — G.,  hill  of  the  brindled  cow,  1194  feet. 

Cnoc-na-fliuchary — G.,  fliuch,  wet ;  and  airidh,  sheiling,  hill  of 
the  wet  sheiling,  1065  feet. 

Cnoc-na-gear — G.,  cnoc-nan-gearr,  hill  of  the  hares,  1500  feet. 

Cnoc-an-eireanaich — G.,  hill  of  the  Irishman  ;  tradition  states, 
an  Irishman,  or  one  presumed  to  be  Irish,  had  perished  on  this 
hill ;  more  probably  it  is  Cnoc-an-eibhrionaich,  hill  of  the  gelded 
goats,  1698  feet  high. 

Cnoc-na-fiadha—  G.,  hill  of  the  deer,  1273  feet  high. 

Meall-a-bhealaich — G.,  the  lumpy  hill  at  the  pass,  or  defile, 
1105  feet ;  bealach,  a  pass,  ;  W.,  bwlch,  a  defile. 

Tor-n.  -gour — G.,  gabhair,  goat,  or  goats  ;  pro.,  in  Sutherland, 
gour,  the  goat  hill,  973  feet  high. 

LAKE    NAMES. 

Loch-ascaig — 0.  G.,  ascaig ;  escaig,  dim.  of  asc ;  esc,  little 
stream  or  small  brook,  lake  of  the  small  stream  ;  asc,  esc,  esk,  ask, 
are  British  and  Old  Gaelic  terms;  Modern  Gaelic,  uisge,  water ; 
W.,  wysg,  stream,  current ;  Corn,  isg.  It  appears  to  have  been  as 
common  with  the  Caledonian  Picts  to  apply  uisge,  asc,  esc,  to  rivers 
as  it  was  with  the  Britons.  In  England  these  words  have  been 
preserved  in  ax,  ex,  ox,  as  prefixes.  There  are  several  place  names 
in  Sutherland,  situated  on  small  streams,  ending  with  "  seaig," 
contractions  for  asc-aig,  esc-aig,  as  in  native  pronunciation  Aber- 
scaig,  Shiberscaig,  Overscaig,  now  corrupted  to  Aberscross,  Shiber- 
scross.  Such  place  names  appear  to  be  remnants  of  the  Caledonian 
Pictish  dialect. 

Loch-na-Cuin — G.,  cuithean,  snow  wreaths,  lake  of  the  snow 
wreaths. 

Loch-a-chlar — G.,  clar,  plain,  flat,  lake  in  the  plain,  or  flat 
laud. 

Loch  Altanearn — G.,  Alltan-an-fhearna,  lake  of  the  small 
.stream  flanked  with  alder  woods. 

Loch-bad-an-loch — G.,  bad-an-loch,  thicket  of,  or,  in  the  lake. 
A  small  peninsula  juts  into  this  lake,  upon  which  is  a  thicket,  or 


190  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

clump  of  shaggy  birchwood  ;  bad,  a  thicket  or  clump  of  trees,  is 
the  initial  syllable  of  many  place  names  in  Sutherland  and  other 
Highland  counties  where  a  house  or  hamlet  is  near  it.  Here  up 
to  1812  was  a  large  hamlet.  See  Place  Names.  This  lake  is  the 
largest  in  the  parish.  On  each  side  of  this  beautiful  expanse  of 
water  rise  lofty  mountains — Ben-Chlibric  in  the  west,  Ben-Armuinn 
on  the  south,  Ben-Griam  on  the  north-east,  and  in  the  distance  to 
the  north-west  is  seen  Ben-Loyal,  blue  on  the  horizon,  with  its 
serrated  ridge  and  cliffy  sides. 

Loch-na-mon — G.,  rnoine,  peats,  peatmoss,  lake  of  the  peat- 
moss. 

Loch-an-Abb — G.,  abba,  abbot,  the  Abbot's  lake.  See  Kil- 
donan. 

Loch  Traderscaig — O.G.,  truic^  stripe,  battle,  air  ou,  and, 
scaig  contraction  for  escaig,  dim.  of  esc.,  small  stream.  Truder- 
scaig  and  Halmadary  adjoining,  were  extensive  hill  grazings  at 
the  back  of  Ben  Armuinn  on  the  confines  of  Strathnavar  and  Kil- 
donan. No  doubt  many  a  conflict  took  place  around  this  lake 
between  the  natives  and  the  Norse  reivers,  and,  more  recently, 
between  the  Aberach  Mackays,  to  whom  these  grazings  belonged, 
and  the  Kildonan  and  Caithness  "  cattle  lifters,"  hence  the  appel- 
lation, lake  of  the  strife  on  the  little  stream.  Truderscaig  and 
Halmadary  frequently  appear  in  Mackay  Charters. 

Loch-leam-a-chlamhan — G.,  learn,  leap,  spring,  bound,  and 
clamhan,  kite,  buzzard,  vulture,  lake  of  the  leap  of  the  vulture. 
This  lake  is  situated  between  the  Griam-Mor  and  Griam-Beag 
mountains,  the  leap  applies  to  the  flight  of  the  vulture  across  the 
lake  from  one  side  to  the  other.  Its  banks  are  noted  as  the  scenes 
of  a  severe  conflict  between  the  Strathnaver  Mackays  and  the 
Sutherlands  and  Gunns.  The  Mackays  had  made  a  raid  into  Kil- 
donan and  carried  away  a  lot  of  cattle.  They  were  overtaken  by 
a  strong  body  of  the  Sutherland  men  under  the  command  of  the 
redoubtable  Mac  Hamish,  Chief  of  the  Gunns  in  Kildonan.  The 
Mackays  had  enough  to  do  to  hold  their  own  and  secure  the 
spoil.  The  cattle  were  sent  on  while  the  rest  of  the  party  faced 
their  infuriated  pursuers.  The  Mackays  boldly  faced  the  onset 
and  were  severely  handled,  losing  many  of  their  best  men,  and 
were  ultimately  forced  to  retire  through  "  Bealach  nan  Creach  " 
(pass  of  the  spoils).  Coming  to  an  advantageous  position  they 
turned  on  their  pursuers,  and  when  the  action  was  again  about  to 
commence,  a  party  of  the  Abrach  Mackays  made  their  appearance 
on  the  scene,  when  the  Sutherlands  and  Gunns  were  compelled  to 
retreat  faster  than  they  advanced,  aad  were  in  turn  pursued 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  191 

through  Bealach  nan  Creach,  losing  the  greater  part  of  their  force. 
The  spoil  being  thus  secured,  it  was  taken  to  Achness  the  same 
evening  and  placed  in  the  fold,  to  which  there  was  no  door  or  gate, 
but  a  sentry  was  placed  in  the  doorway  to  keep  the  cattle  in. 
Among  the  cattle  was  a  big  fierce  bull,  which  did  not  at  all  relish 
being  in  confinement,  he  became  very  unmanageable,  and  seemed 
to  resent  his  being  taken  away  from  his  native  pasture.  The  bull 
constantly  eyed  the  opening  by  which  he  had  been  driven  in.  He 
roared  and  pawed  the  ground,  and,  at  last,  charging  the  sentry, 
gored  and  killed  him.  The  way  being  now  clear,  the  bull  made 
off,  followed  by  the  whole  of  the  cattle,  and  before  morning  were 
back  to  their  own  favourite  pasturage. 

RIVER    NAMES. 

Alt-ach-na-h-uai — G.,  stream  of  the  field  of  the  graves.  Here 
was  a  meeting  house,  or  place  of  worship,  of  a  very  primitive  style 
of  architecture.  It  was  built  of  alternate  layers  of  stone  and  turf, 
the  roof  made  of  birch  couples,  birch  purlins,  birch  rafters,  and 
covered  with  birch  brushwood  and  divots,  overlaid  with  a  thin 
layer  of  straw  kept  on  by  heather  ropes.  The  seats  were  of  bog 
fir.  Round  about  it  was  the  bury  ing-place.  Till  1812  it  was  the 
centre  of  a  numerous  population — Gunns  and  Gordons,  Suther- 
lands  and  Mackays,  lusty,  hardy,  brave  men. 

Alt-garv-mor — G.,  Allt-garbh-mor,  the  big,  rough,  and  rapid 
stream. 

Alt-garv-beag — G.,  the  small  rough  stream  ;  garbh,  applied  to 
rivers  and  streams,  implies  rapidity  as  well  as  roughness.  The 
Garonne  (garbh-amhuinn)  in  the  south  of  France  is  both  rapid  and 
rough  in  its  course.  Here  is  a  footprint  of  the  Celtic  language  in 
the  south  of  Europe — All  river  names  in  France  the  terminal 
letters  of  which  are  net  are  of  Celtic  origin,  Rhone,  Rhine,  Marne, 
Seine,  and  are  simply  contractions  in  pronunciation. 

Altaridh-dhaimh — G.,  stream  of  the  deer  grazing. 

Alt-chinbrace — G.,  allt,  stream  ;  chin,  gen.  of  ceann,  end  or 
head  ;  and  phris  gen.  plural  of  preas,  a  bush ;  pris,  bushes.  See 
place  names. 

Free — G.,  frith,  forest,  hill  sides,  deer  forest ;  this  river  rises  in 
a  district  once  the  resort  of  deer,  six  miles  westward  of  the  High, 
into  which  it  falls  near  Kinbrace.  The  little  Strath,  formed  by 
the  flow  of  the  Frith,  is  said  to  have  been  well  wooded  in  ancient 
times.  In  the  Sagas  recording  the  deeds  of  the  Norsemen  in 
Kateness,  it  is  stated  that  when  Sweine,  as  previously  mentioned, 
made  his  onslaught  on  the  Lady  Frakark  in  Kinbrace,  some  of 


192  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

her  men  took  refuge  in  the  adjoining  woods,  and  concealing  them- 
selves in  them,  escaped  slaughter.  The  tragic  event  occurred 
-about  1150.  No  woods  exist  now  in  Strath  Free  nor  near 
Kinbrace,  though  a  great  deal  of  moss  fir  used  to  be  dug  up  in  the 
mosses  on  the  flank  of  this  little  valley  previous  to  the  eviction 
year  of  1812.  Probably  wood  was  the  fuel  used  previous  to  peat. 
Tt  is  recorded  in  the  Sagas  that  one  of  the  Orkney  Earls  was  called 
*'  Torf  Einar,"  from  having  shown  the  natives  that  turf  made  good 
fuel,  signifying  Einar,  the  turf  man.  < 

High — O.G.,  pro.  illie  and  uillie,  signifies  plenty  or  abundance 
of  water  ;  cognate  with  lighe,  flood,  still  a  common  term  in  Suther- 
land for  full  water  in  a  river  or  stream.  There  is  a  Welsh  word, 
llif,  flood,  pro.  thliv,  the  double  1,  pro.  like  th  and  single  f,  like  v 
in  English.  This  British  word  seems^to  be  the  same  as  the  Cale- 
donian one,  lighe,  and  is  another  instance  of  the  affinity  between 
the  two  dialects  of  the  Celtic  language.  Many  such  instances  are 
apparent  to  the  student  of  both.  The  cause  of  the  abundance  of 
water  in  this  river  has  been  previously  described.  The  parish  is 
sometimes  still  spoken  of  as  Sgire  High,  and  the  valley  as  Stra- 
Illie.  The  township  at  its  mouth  is  still  known  in  Gaelic  as  Bun- 
illie,  the  lower  part  or  mouth  of  the  High.  The  river  is  no  doubt 
the  "  lle-a"  of  Ptolemy,  and  the  "  Ila"  of  Richard  of  Cirencester. 
It  is  also  the  Hjalmundal  of  the  Norse  Sagas,  though  Hjalmundal 
refers  more  particularly  to  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where  the 
Norsemen  landed  and  found  a  village  existing  then  as  now.  See 
place  names.  The  words  High,  lighe,  may  be  accepted  as  remnants 
ot  the  Pictish  Gaelic,  of  which  there  are  many  in  Sutherland  Pits, 
Pets,  nidh,  the  1  itter  the  "  gwy"  of  the  British  or  Welsh. 

Tuarie — G.,  tuath,  north,  and  ruith,  or  ruigh,  slope,  the  trend 
of  the  river  and  its  acclivities  northwards,  tuath-ruigh,  northward 
trend  from  the  High  into  which  it  falls.  W.,  rhiw,  slope  at  a  hill 
foot,  common  in  Welsh  topography.  In  Sutherland  it  is  quite  as 
common,  and  still  preserved  in  the  old  form,  Rhi  (in  place  names), 
as  the  Cymry  have  it.  Reidh  is  a  plain,  frequently  confounded  with 
Ruigh,  slope,  trend,  declivity  :>r  acclivity  as  the  position  of  the 
observer  may  be.  There  are  several  other  rivers  in  this  parish 
named  after  the  township  by  which  they  flow.  We  shall  find  them 
in  place  name^s. 

PLACE    NAMES. 

Ach-an-eccan — G.,  achadh-an-fhaicinn,  the  field  of  observa- 
tion, from  the  fact  that  from  this  place  a  view  is  obtained  north, 
east,  south,  west,  points  of  danger  in  raiding  times,  up  and  down 
Strath  Hligh,  eastwards  towards  Caithness,  west  towards  the  much 
dreaded  Mackays. 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  193 

Ach-in-dun — G.,  achadh-an-duin,  the  field  of  the  mound,  or 
tower  ;  there  are  here  the  ruins  of  a  Pictish  tower. 

Ach-na-Moine — G.,  field  of  the  peat  moss,  hamlet,  and  river 
names. 

Ach-rimistal — G.  and  N.,  achadh,  and  raumsdal,  name  given 
by  Norwegians  who  settled  here  from, Raumsdal  in  Norway,  being 
there  to  this  day  a  district  and  river  name. 

Ach-rintle — G.,  achadh,  raoin-an-t-sabhail,  the  field  in  the  plain 
of  the  barn. 

Ach-iii-toul — G.,  achadh-an-t-sabhail,  the  barn  field. 

Ach-hemisgach — G.,  achadh  sheamais-gaothach,  James'  windy 
or  wind  exposed  field.  At  the  upper  end  of  this  plot  of  land  is  a 
rock  with  the  form  of  a  cross  engraved  upon  it.  The  name  of  the 
adjoining  wood  is  Coille  Cill-mhuire,  the  wood  of  Mary's  cell,  a 
place  of  gieat  sanctity,  and  a  sanctuary  in  the  pre-Reformatioii 
times. 

Ach-an-t-shamradh — G.,  the  summer,  or  pleasant  field.  On 
this  spot  can  still  be  seen  the  foundation  of  a  Highland  cottage, 
once  the  abode  of  "  Donald  Direach,"  "  Donald  the  straight  or 
just,"  one  of  the  most  eminent  of  the  "men"  of  Sutherland,  1740 
to  1768,  a  race  of  men  useful  in  their  day,  now  dying  out. 

Ach-na-nighean — G.,  the  field  of  the  maidens.  A  weird  legend 
is  connected  with  this  field.  Here,  for  many  years,  lived  and 
worked  the  only  blacksmith  in  the  parish.  Near  the  smithy  is 
the  only  entrance  to  one  of  those  singular  subterranean  passages 
to  be  found  in  the  northern  districts  of  Scotland.  This  passage  is 
a  most  remarkable  one.  The  entrance  is  built  upon  each  side  of 
solid  masonry,  and  finished  at  top  by  a  huge  stone  lintel  which 
not  twenty  men  of  modern  days  could  raise  a  foot  from  the 
ground.  The  doorway  is  half  filled  with  rubbish.  A  few  yards 
further  in  the  interior  is  a  sort  of  chamber  wider  than  the  entrance 
by  five  feet ;  further  progress  is  stopped  by  the  falling  in  of  the 
roof,  which  is  quite  apparent  by  a  deep  hollow  on  the  surface  out- 
side. The  passage  is  continued  towards  the  river  High,  in  a 
north-westerly  direction,  and  carried  under  the  river,  as  has  been 
ascertained  by  the  removal  of  a  few  flags  close  by  the  river  bank, 
where  the  passage  was  discovered  400  yards  from  the  entrance. 
Also  on  a  woody  eminence  is  the  township  of  Liriball,  and,  accord- 
ing to  tradition,  at  this  place  the  passage  terminates.  The 
following  legendary  tale  is  told  in  connection  with  this  passage : — 

Two  calves  browsing  on  the  field  near  the  eastern  entrance 
began  to  skip  about  and  chase  each  other,  until  at  last  the  one 
after  the  other  ran  in  at  the  opening,  and  there  being  then  no 

13 


194  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

obstruction,  the  calves  pursued  their  way  inside.  Their  entrance 
into  the  cave  was  noticed  by  two  girls  engaged  in  looking  after 
the  cattle,  and  they  both  at  once  rushed  after  the  calves  to  take 
them  back.  The  girls  kept  together  till  they  had  got  to  nearly 
the  middle  of  the  passage,  when  the  foremost  in  pursuit,  along 
with  the  calves,  suddenly  disappeared  and  were  never  more  heard 
of.  The  other  girl,  horror  struck,  went  on  groping  her  way  in  the 
darkness  until  she  found  her  further  progress  prevented  by  the 
termination  of  the  passage.  Feeling  about  with  her  hands  she 
found  that  she  was  in  a  chamber  of  considerable  size,  but  low  and 
roofed  with  flags.  About  the  middle  of  the  roof  she  found  that 
one  flag  was  more  inoveable  by  the  pressure  of  her  hand  ;  she  also 
heard  the  sound  of  voices  above  her.  Exerting  all  her  strength  to 
raise  the  loose  flag,  she  at  the  same  time  screamed  for  help.  As 
the  story  goes,  this  subterranean  chamber  was  situated  precisely 
imder  the  hearth  of  one  of  the  tenants  of  Liriball.  who  at  the 
time  the  cry  was  uttered  and  the  hearth  stone  disturbed,  was  with 
his  wife  and  family  quietly  seated  at  the  fireside.  The  cry  from 
below  and  the  earthquake  movement  came  upon  the  man  and  his 
family  like  a  thunder  clap.  At  once  concluding  it  was  a  visit 
from  the  spirits  of  the  deep,  they  all  started  up,  and  in  answer  to 
the  poor,  desperate  girl's  cries  for  help,  they  only  uttered  a  roar 
of  terror  and  bolted  from  the  house.  The  poor  girl,  desperate 
with  fear  and  animated  with  love  of  life  and  freedom  from  such  a 
dreadful  adventure,  at  last  succeeded  in  raising  the  hearth  stone 
and  placing  herself  by  the  fireside.  To  the  inmates  of  the  house, 
after  their  fears  had  subsided  so  far  as  to  allow  them  to  address 
her,  she  gave  an  account  of  her  adventures.  Her  lost  companion, 
it  is  said,  was  the  daughter  of  a  witch,  who  in  an  evil  hour  had 
promised  her  daughter  to  the  devil.  Under  the  semblance  of  the 
two  calves  the  Evil  One  had  come  to  claim  his  own.  The  place 
was,  in  memory  of  the  event,  called  Achadh-na-nighean,  maiden's 
field.  (Sage's  Memorabilia.) 

Ach-bhataich — G.,  the  field  of  the  sticks  ;  sylvan,  woody,  where 
sticks  were  wont  to  be  cut. 

Ach-chroidh-bhothain — G.,  the  field  of  the  cattle  booths,  or 
shelters. 

Am-bagh-mor — G.,  the  big  bay,  a  bend  in  the  High  river  noted 
for  angling. 

Athan-preas-na-suidheig — G.,  the  ford  of  the  raspberry  bushes. 

Bad-na-h-achlais — G.,  literally  the  tuft  of  the  arm  pit,  in 
reference  to  its  conformation  and  aspect.  Here  are  two  tumuli 
resembling  graves,  and  close  to  them  are  other  two  called  Tullach 
mor  and  Tullach  beag,  signifying  the  big  and  little  hillocks. 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  195 

Badenloch — G.,  bad-an-loch,  mentioned  in  lake  names.  On 
the  north  side  of  this  lake  and  facing  the  mid-day  sun  was  a  larger 
township,  with  numerous  tenants,  occupying  the  arable  land, 
about  5  acres  each,  on  the  runrig  principle,  and  any  quantity  of 
hill  pasture  in  common,  rearing  great  herds  of  black  cattle,  ponies, 
sheep,  and  goats.  Bad  is  applied  to  hamlets  which  were  near 
•clumps  of  shaggy  birch  woods.  On  the  other  side  of  this  lake  was 
another  hamlet  called  Breac-achadh,  the  speckled  field. 

Bad-fliuch — G.,  the  wet  hamlet,  or  the  hamlet  contiguous  to  a 
•clump  of  wood  surrounded  by  marshes. 

Bad-an-t-sheobhag — G.,  hamlet  at  the  hawk's  thicket. 

Borrobol — N.,  ba*r,  barley,  and  bol,  township,  the  barley  town- 
ship ;  barr  is  the  root  of  the  English  word  barley,  the  Scottish, 
bear;  G.,  bar,  crop;  Welsh,  bara,  bread;  Heb.,  Chal.  Syr.;  bar, 
-son ;  Scot.,  bairn,  child ;  cognate  is  the  Lat.  par-io,  beget, 
Here  Avas  one  of  those  ancient  corn  mills  called  Muillinn-ton-ri-lar. 
•of  which  there  were  several  in  Sutherland,  so  called  from  its 
water  wheel  being  horizontal,  in  the  shape  of  the  modern  turbine, 
common  to  this  day  in  Shetland.  It  is  a  very  interesting  fact  that 
this  form  of  mill  was  common  all  over  Britain  and  Ireland  and  the 
north  of  Europe,  was  found  in  Syria  and  Persia,  superseding  the 
hand  quern,  a  more  primitive  instrument.  See  Pro.  of  Soc.  Ant. 
.Scot.,  1885. 

Bal-bhealaich — G.,  baile-a-bhealaich,  township  at  the  pass. 

Bealach-na-creach — G.,  pass  of  the  spoils,  mentioned  previously. 

Blairmore — G.,  blar-mor,  an  extensive  morass. 

Carn — Written  in  charters,  Ca}^en,  a  township  near  Helmsdale 
situated  at  a  sharp  turn  of  the  High  river.  It  may  be  0.  G.  cain 
.still  water,  or  cuinne  ;  angle  ;  W.,  cyn,  a  wedge. 

Carn-laggie — G.,  earn,  and  lagan,  small  hollow,  the  cairn  of 
the  small  hollow. 

Ceann-a-bhaid — G.,  the  end  of  the  clump  of  wood. 

Cnoc-phin — G.,  cnoc-fionn,  the  fair  hill. 

Coire-an-lon — G.,  the  corrie  at  the  meadow. 

Corrish,  Corruis — G.,  coire-an-innis,  the  corrie  at  the  grazing 
iield. 

Craggie — G.,  creagaich,  rocky  place. 

Creag-an-rath — G.,  the  rock  of  the  fort.  '  On  the  summit  of 
this  hill  may  be  still  seen  the  foundations  of  many  enclosures 
running  into  each  other,  covering  a  large  area  and  exhibiting  the 
appearance  of  an  encampment.  Many  conflicts  took  place  here 
between  the  Sutherlands  and  the  Sinclairs  about  the  beginning  of 
the  17th  century. 


19&  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

Costly — N.,  Kosta  and  le,  good  mowing  land  ;  Eng.,  lea. 

Dalmore,  Dalbeg — G.,  the  big,  the  small  meadow  ;  W ,  dol,  a 
meadow  bounded  by  a  river ;  N.,  dalr,  a  meadow  ;  Corn,  and 
Arm.,  dol ;  Ir.,  dail ;  G.,  dail. 

Dalcharn — G.,  meadow  of  the  cairn. 

Dal-haluiy — G.,  dail-a-chalmaidh,  meadow  of  the  hero. 

Dalial — N.,  daela,  a  small  dale. 

Duible — Diobal,  old  form  in  charters  Daypull,  Dowebull,, 
Dwebul ;  N.  dybol,  from  dy,  bog,  and  bol,  township,  the 
bog-township,  or  township  at  the  bog.  Close  to  it  is  a  bog  or  pool 
of  water  formed  by  the  rills  that  rush  down  to  it  from  the  braes 
above  it. 

Eldrable,  Eildirebail — X.,  eldr,  beacon,  balefire,  and  bol,  town- 
ship, the  township  of  the  beacon  fire.  The  hill  at  the  back  of  this 
township,  2  miles  above  Helmsdale,  is  J338  feet  high.  It  over- 
looks the  sea,  a  fit  place  for  a  beacon  fire.  The  Norsemen  would 
call  it  the  beacon  hill.  This  hill  gave  its  name  to  the  township  ; 
old  form  in  charters,  Alterball.  This  hamlet  is  a  romantic  spot 
situated  on  an  eminence  50  feet  above  the  High  river,  and  well 
wooded.  On  this  spot  the  sun  in  winter  is  never  seen  owing  to 
the  height  of  the  hill.  It  has  therefore  been  called  "  an  taobh 
dorcha"  (the  dark  side). 

Feuranaich — G.,  grassy 

Fliuchary — G.,  fliuch-airidh,  the  wet  shelling. 

Gearnsary — N.  and  G.,  hired  pasture,  pasture  upon  which 
cattle  are  taken  at  so  much  a  head  for  the  season. 

Gradsary — N.  and  G.,  gorod,  grad,  old  form  of  Scandinavian 
for  the  ruins  of  any  building,  and  airidh,  the  pasture  round  the 
ruins. 

Griamachary,  Griamachdary — G.,  griamach,  rugged,  and 
airidh,  sheiling,  pasture ;  the  rugged  sheilingv  Here  the  Mackay 
and  Sutherlands,  when  allies,  had  assembled  often  to  invade 
Caithness.  In  1601  there  was  a  great  gathering  of  them  here  for 
that  purpose.  The  Sinclairs  were  in  great  force  to  meet  them. 
The  Earl  of  Sutherland,  being  a  young  man  and  unused  to  war,, 
was  unwilling  to  risk  a  battle.  The  Mackay  Chief,  "  Huisteaii 
du-na-tuagh"  (swarthy  Hugh  of  the  battle  axe),  and  the  Gunn 
Chief  counselled  the'  Earl  that  it  was  necessary  for  him,  for  his 
own  credit,  to  attack  the  Sinclairs.  The  Earl  took  a  medium 
course,  sent  a  messenger  to  the  Earl  of  Caithness,  to  the  effect 
that  if  he  remained  in  his  encampment  till  next  morning  he 
would  be  attacked.  In  the  morning  the  Earl  advanced,  the 
Mackays  in  front,  the  Gunns  on  the  flank.  On  arriving  in  sight  of 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  197 

the  Sinclair  encampment,  they  were  seen  marching  away.  The 
Gunns  pursued  for  some  distance  and  killed  some  stragglers. 
Arriving  at  the  encampment  the  Sutherlands  and  Mackays  found 
there  was  no  fighting  to  be  done,  but  to  commemorate  the  event, 
they  raised  a  cairn  and  called  it  Carn-an-teichidh,  the  cairn  of  the 
flight. 

Gailval — G.,  township  of  the  strangers  ;  old  form,  Gylsbal. 

Halgary — G.,  Helga,  sister  of  Frakark,  and  airidh  sheiling, 
Helga's  sheiling. 

Helmsdale  (east  and  west  of  the  High) — N.,  Hjalmundal 
hjalli,  shelf,  terrace  on  a  mountain  side ;  munn,  mouth,  and  dalr, 
dale,  terrace  of  the  mountain  at  the  mouth  of  the  dale ;  very 
applicable  to  the  aspect  of  the  place  from  the  sea. 

Innis-mor — G.,  innis,  pasture,  the  big  pasture  land. 

Kildonan — G.,  the  cell  of  Donan.  This  place  name  is  variously 
written  in  charters  Kilduranach,  in  Bishop  Gilbert's  charters, 
•circa  1225.  The  bishop,  a  Moray  man,  no  doubt  knew  the  Gaelic 
of  the  day.  It  is  said  that  Duranach  meant  dark,  sullen,  fright- 
ful. It  would  appear  that  St  Donan  was  the  first  Christian 
missionary  who  came  into  the  district  and  acted  the  priest  and 
the  magistrate.  In  this  cell  he  instructed  the  people,  and  lower 
down  the  Strath  was  his  seat  of  justice — three  large  blocks  of 
stone  in  the  form  of  a  seat  or  chair,  called  "  Cathair  Dhonain." 
After  Donan's  departure  and  demise,  none  could  be  found  to  fill  his 
place  with  the  same  moral  influence.  His  successor  therefore  took 
a  block  of  wood  shaped  to  resemble  Donan,  but  with  features  of 
countenance  hideous  and  frightful.  Anyone  proving  refractory  was 
placed  in  St  Donan's  cell,  with  this  picture  of  the  saint  facing  him, 
during  the  darkness  and  silence  of  night,  and  the  consequence 
was  that  when  brought  forth  next  day  from  his  confinement  he 
was  invariably  reduced  to  absolute  obedience,  hence  the  name 
"  Duranach,"  which  for  a  time  applied  not  only  to  the  cell  but  to 
the  district  surrounding,  till  it  was  eventually  styled  Kil-donan, 
the  cell  of  Donan.  It  is  situated  in  a  pretty  part  of  the  Strath. 
It  would  appear  from  this  that  Monks,  then  and  after,  had  an  eye 
to  beauty  of  situation  for  their  places  of  worship.  Here  was  an 
Abbacy,  the  ruins  of  which  are  still  to  be  seen,  and  called  Tigh-an 
Abba.  When  the  Chapter  of  the  Diocese  was  formed  by  Bishop 
Gilbert  Moray,  the  Abbot  of  Scone  was  one  of  the  Canons,  and 
the  church  of  Kildonan — or  as  it  was  called  in  the  charter, 
"  Kil-duranach " — was  assigned  to  him  as  the  sphere  of  his 
pastoral  duty,  provided  that,  when  absent,  a  vicar  should  officiate 
in  his  place.  The  Abbot  of  Scone  had  charge  of  the  parish  till 
1684. 


198  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Beside  the  manse  is  a  chain  of  heather  covered  knolls  in  close- 
succession,  varying  in  shape  and  elevation,  one  of  these  20  yards, 
from  the  manse  is  60  feet  high,  and  90  feet  in  circumference. 
The  top  of  it  was  bared  some  years  ago,  and  found  to  consist  of  a 
huge  pile  of  stones.  These  tumuli  were  ancient  sepulchres  in 
which  reposed  the  ashes  of  those  mighty  men  of  renown  in  their 
day,  who  fought  and  worked  in  the  world  many  centuries  ago. 
There  is  a  standing  stone  to  the  west  of  these  tumuli  having  a 
rude  form  of  cross  cut  into  one  side  of  it.  It  is  called  "  Clach-an- 
eig"  (the  stone  of  death).  There  was  a  local  tradition  that  a 
bloody  battle  was  fought  here  between  the  Norsemen  and  the 
natives,  in  which  the  former,  by  Sutherland  tradition,  were 
defeated,  and  their  leader  was  slain  and  buried  in  the  knoll  above 
described.  Another  knoll  further  west  is  called  "  Tor-na-croichn 
(the  knoll  of  the  gallows),  from  two  cattle  lifters  being  hanged  by 
order  of  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  and  the  spot  where  they  were 
apprehended  is  called  "  Clais-na-Meirlaich,"  or  the  dell  of  the 
ihieves. 

Kil-earnan — G.,  cell  of  St  Earnan,  a  missionary  Culdee  monk, 
who  had  come  to  evangelise  the  people.  Near  it  is  Cnoc  Earnan. 
This  was  ai;  extensive  township.  When  the  Gunns  came  into 
Sutherland  from  Caithness^  in  the  early  part  of  the  16th  century,, 
this  place  was  the  seat  of  their  chiefs,  the  redoubtable  "  Mac- 
Hamishes"  (sons  of  James),  and  it  may  be  said  of  them  to  their 
credit  in  those  times  and  now,  they  were  like  the  Arabs  "  true  to 
their  friends,  worse  to  their  foes." 

Kilpheder — G.,  cell  of  Peter,  a  Culdee  monk  of  that  name,  or 
more  probably,  a  place  of  worship  dedicated  to  the  great  apostle. 
This  is  a  beautiful  spot,  interesting  not  only  for  the  romantic 
scenery  all  round  it,  but  for  its  historical  associations  in  relation 
to  county  history.  Here  lived  the  Kilpheder  Sutherlands,  men. 
notable  in  their  day  for  stature  and  physical  strength,  the  descen- 
dants of  a  son  of  the  8th  Earl  of  Sutherland,  and  a  daughter  of 
the  Mackay  Chief,  "  lye  Roy"  (Red  Hugh),  the  last  of  whom  died 
in  Edinburgh  some  fifty  years  ago,  enjoying  a  pension  bestowed 
upon  him  by  the  first  Duchess  of  Sutherland,  after  her  succession 
to  the  title  and  estates  was  disputed  in  the  famous  law  case  of  last 
century,  and  decided  in  her  favour  by  the  House  of  Lords.  This, 
gentleman  was  the  real  heir  according  to  Celtic  law  ;  he  was  not  a 
competitor,  yet,  failing  to  establish  her  case,  this  gentleman  was 
to  be  brought  forward  as  being  in  more  direct  succession  than  either 
herself  or  her  competitors.  He  was  a  direct  descendant  of  Alex- 
ander Sutherland,  son  of  the  8th  Earl  John,  by  a  second  marriage 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  199 

with  a  daughter  of  Ross  of  Balnagown.  Earl  John,  by  his  first 
marriage,  had  a  son,  John,  and  a  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Adam  Gordon  of  Aboyne,  second  son  of  the  Earl  of  Huntly.  This 
son,  John,  succeeded  to  the  title  and  estates  in  1508.  Huntly 
was  the  King's  Sheriff.  Young  Earl  John  was  pliant  and  unsus- 
pecting. He  gave  Adam  Gordon,  his  brother-in-law,  full  control 
over  his  affairs.  Fired  with  the  prospect  of  succeeding  to  the  title 
in  right  of  his  wife,  Adam  Gordon  and  his  brother,  the  Earl  of 
Huntly,  the  Chancellor  of  Scotland,  set  to  work  to  accomplish  their 
designs.  "  The  young  Earl,"  says  Sir  R.  Gordon,  "  was  decerned 
an  idiot,  and  having  never  married,  the  succession  of  the  Earldom 
came  whole  and  entire  to  them,"  that  is  to  Earl  Adam  Gordon  and 
his  wife,  Elizabeth  Sutherland.  But  the  younger  brother,  Alex- 
ander, had  to  be  dealt  with  ;  he  was  inveigled  to  Strathbogie,  and 
upon  consideration  given,  was  made  to  acquiesce  in  this  settlement. 
He  repented,  says  Sir  Robert,  and  returned  to  Sutherland.  The 
Gordons  were  detested  by  the  other  clans  in  Sutherland,  Alex- 
ander's return  caused  great  commotion  among  them.  He,  for 
greater  security,  sought  shelter  with  the  Mackay  Chief,  lye  Roy 
(Red  Hugh),  and  married  his  second  daughter.  The  Mackays 
espoused  his  cause,  and  Adam  Gordon,  with  his  household  and 
followers,  were  compelled  to  retire  to  Aboyne.  Alexander  took 
possession  of  Dunrobin,  and,  feeling  himself  secure,  dismissed  his 
forces.  Assisted  by  Huntly,  Adam  Gordon  suddenly  appeared  in 
Sutherland  with  a  larger  force,  surprised  Alexander,  who  in  the 
conflict  that  ensued  was  killed,  and  Adam  Gordon  regained  posses- 
sion. This  Alexander  was  the  progenitor  of  the  notable  Kilpheder 
Sutherlands. 

"At  the  east  end  of  Kilpheder,"  says  Mr  Sage,  "the  founda- 
tions of  a  house  may  still  be  seen,  in  which  the  stones  are 
remarkable  for  their  immense  size.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  how 
they  could  be  placed  without  mechanical  appliances.  Here  it  is 
said '  Alexander  Sutherland,  slain  in  the  above  conflict,  once 
resided,  and  his  descendants  after  him  at  a  nominal  rent.  The 
ruins  of  this  house  are  more  immediately  connected  with  Alex- 
ander's son  William,  a  man  of  herculean  stature  and  strength, 
who  repaired  and  extended  it.  He  was  hi&  own  architect  and 
builder.  The  largest  of  the  stones  he  took  from  the  channel  of 
the  river.  One  huge  block  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  was  too 
much  for  him.  His  wife  upbraided  him'  for  giving  in,  saying  it 
Avould  be  a  standing  proof  of  William  Mor  not  being  the  strong 
man  he  was  reputed  to  be.  Indignant  at  this  reproof  from  his 
spouse,  he  strode  into  the  river  crowbar  in  hand,  and  grappled 


200  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

again  with  the  huge  mass,  turned  it  over,  rolled  it  out  of  the 
river  on  to  a  yard  of  his  door,  and  said  to  his  wife — "  There  is  the 
stone  as  proof  of  your  husband's  strength,  but  it  is  his  last  act." 
He  entered  his  house,  threw  himself  on  his  bed,  and  died. 

Lead  Mharcaich — G.,  leathad-a-mharcaich,  the  horseman's  side 
of  the  hill. 

Learable — N.,  leir,  muddy,  and  bol,  township,  the  muddy 
township.  Lerwick,  N.,  leir  muddy,  an  vik,  creek.  Learable  was 
an  extensive  township.  It  is  to  be  observed  when  bal  or  dal  is  the 
terminal  syllable,  the  place  name  is  of  Norse  origin,  and  when  bai 
or  dal  is  the  initial  syllable,  the  origin  is  essentially  Gaelic. 

Leam-Henrie — G.,  Henry's  leap.  Here  the  river  "  High  "  is  con- 
fined in  its  course  by  rocks  on  both  its  sides,  A  strong,  athletic 
young  man,  named  Henry  Gunn,  in  attempting  to  jump  from  one 
to  the  other,  missed  the  mark,  fell  into  Jhe  river  and  was  drowned. 

Loiste — N.,  lysti,  pleasant,  pleasant  place,  fertile  place  ;  G., 
loisid,  kneading  trough.  See  Joyce,  vol.  II.,  430. 

Lon-tarsuinn — G.,  Ion,  meadow,  tarsuinn,  across,  the  cross 
meadow. 

Marrill — N.,  mar-baeli,  contracted  in  pronunciation  to  mar- 
bhail,  mar-rill,  farm  near  the  sea,  this  place  is  within  half-a-mile 
from  the  sea  at  Helmsdale  (mar-bhail — marr-ill). 

Navidale — N.,  naefr,  birch,  and  daeli,  dale  ;  the  birch  dale. 

Pol-du-chraig — G.,  pool  of  the  two  rocks,  a  place  on  the  river 
High. 

Preaschoin — G.,  the  bush  of  the  dogs. 

Reisg — G.,  riasg,  a  moor,  a  marsh.     See  Joyce,  vol.  i.,  463. 

Rhithean — G.,  ruighean,  summer  pastures,  more  commonly 
ruigh-an,  dim.  of  ruigh,  as  ruighan  na-caoraich,  the  summer  run 
of  sheep. 

Sean-achadh — G.,  the  old  field  ;  here  it  applies  to  the  oldest 
cultivated  land  round  Cam  Swein  or  Suine,  Kinbrace. 

Solus-craggie — G.,  rock  of  light,  from  the  fact  of  the  sun's 
rays  always  striking  it  and  reflecting  light. 

Suis-gill — N.,  suis  or  susi,  roaring  noise  like  that  of  the  sea, 
and  gil,  ravine  ;  the  noisy  or  roaring  ravine.  Such  it  is  when  in 
flood,  evincing  that  the  Norsemen  were  equally  keen  eyed,  and 
keen  eared,  as  the  Celts  in  describing  place  and  river  or  stream. 

Tor-darrach — G.,  torr,  a  conical  hillock,  and  darrach,  oak 
wood ;  the  hillock  of  the  oak-wood  ;  dim.,  torran  ;  W.,  torr,  a 
boss ;  W.,  twr,  a  pile,  tower ;  Arm.,  tor  and  twr.  Moorish,  Dyre, 
mountain  ;  Taur-us,  a  mountain  in  Asia  ;  Taur-mian,  mountains 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  201 

between  Italy  and  Gaul ;  Mam-tor  in  Derbyshire  and  no  end  of 
tors  in  Devonshire  ;  conical  small  granitic  hills  which  endured  the 
blasts  of  countless  ages. 

Tomich — G.,  torn,  a  knoll  or  swell  of  the  surface;  tomaich, 
full  of  knolls,  an  old  Caledonian  Pictish  word ;  W.,  torn,  a  heap  ; 
'G.,  dim.  tom-an,  a  small  knoll  ;  W.,  tomen ;  Arm.,  tumb ;  Ir., 
torn,  a  burial  ground;  Lat.,  turn-ulus,  a  mound  raised  over  a  body; 
<*r.,  tomb-os,  a  tomb  ;  Eng.  tomb. 

Tordu— G.,  a  black  hillock. 

Torruis — G.,  torr-an-innis,  innis,  a  pasture  field,  the  hillock  on 
the  pasture  field  ;  W.,  ynys,  an  island  ;  Corn.,  ennis;  Arm.,  enez; 
Scot.,  inch. 

Torghorstan — G.,  torr,  a  hillock,  and  gortan,  dim.  of  gort; 
•O.G.,  a  small  field  ;  the  hillock  at,  or  in,  the  same  field. 

Ulbster — N.,  Ull-bol-stadr,  the  wool  place  or  township. 


PARISH    OF    REAY. 

The  aspect  of  this  parish  is  hilly,  but  hardly  mountainous  ; 
its  principal  elevations  are  Beinn  Ratha,  795,  Bemn-nan-Bad-mhor, 
952  feet,  in  the  Caithness  portion,  Beinn  Ruadh,  837  feet,  on  its 
western  border,  Beinn  Geiambheag,  1903  feet,  on  the  southern 
border,  and  the  Knock-fin  Heights,  1442  feet,  at  the  meeting 
points  of  Reay,  Kildonan,  and  Halkirk  parishes.  Its  principal 
rivers  and  streams,  the  Halladale,  Forse,  JSandside,  Reay,  and 
Achvarasdal,  all  flow  northwards  into  the  sea.  Its  lakes  number 
between  sixty  and  seventy,  the  largest  of  which  are  Loch  Calder, 
on  the  eastern  border,  2J  miles  long  by  nearly  1  mile  wide, 
Shurery,  1J  miles  by  J  mile  wide,  Cailam,  f  mile  by  J  mile,  Loch- 
na-Seilge,  f  mile  by  \  mile. 

On  the  sea-board,  Devonian  sandstone,  paving  flags,  and  lime- 
stone are  met  with,  while  those  of  the  hills  include  granite,  syenite, 
gneiss,  hornblende,  and  quartzite  ;  shell  marl  has  been  largely 
dug  at  Down-reay  and  Brawlbin  ;  iron  ore  has  also  been  found, 
and  a  vein  of  lead  near  Reay  Village ;  a  mineral  spring  at 
Helshetter  claims  to  be  equal  to  those  of  Strathpeffer. 

This  district,  previous  to  the  13th  century,  when  the  Norsemen 
held  sway  in  Caithness  and  on  the  coast  of  Sutherland,  was  wholly 
included  in  Caithness.  In  fact,  the  whole  of  Caithness  and  the 
north  of  Scotland  to  Eddrachilis,  was  included  in  the  term 
"  Kateness."  The  southern  portion  of  Sutherland,  from  the  Ord 
to  Ekkialsbakki  (Oykel),  was  their  "  Sudrland  "  (the  land  to  the 
-south),  a  term  still  retained,  though  it  became  enlarged  to  embrace 
north  and  south,  to  distinguish  it  from  modern  Caithness. 


202  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

The  district  of  Reay  then  formed  part  of  the  extensive  parish 
of  Farr,  or  Strathnavemia,  for  ecclesiastical  purposes,  but  when 
Gilbert  de  Moravia,  or  Murray,  was  appointed  bishop  of  the 
diocese  in  1222,  he  dis-severed  this  district  from  the  Parish 
Church  of  Farr  and  annexed  it  to  that  of  Reay,  011  the  plea  that 
Farr  was  "  too  diffuse,"  a  very  politic  act  on  the  part  of  a  politic 
bishop,  who  proved  himself  to  be  an  excellent  administrator  and 
church  ruler,  a  man  of  the  world,  as  of  the  Church,  and,  like  other 
churchmen  of  his  day,  could  wield  the  sword,  whether  made  of 
steel  or  the  quill  of  a  grey  goose.  His  administration  of  the 
diocese  was  eminently  successful,  bringing  order  out  of  previous 
chaos ;  caused  tithes  to  be  regularly  paid,  and  regulated  the 
incomes  of  the  clergy,  dominated  the  lords  of  the  soil,  and  caused 
his  suffragans  to  be  respected.  In  his  day  commenced  the  series, 
of  Sutherland  Charters,  lay  and  clerical,  still  to  the  fore  in  the 
Dunrobin  Charter  Chest.  The  bishop  was  quite  right.  Farr  was 
"  too  diffuse,"  for  the  people  of  "  Helgedal "  (Strathhalladale),  as 
this  district  is  called  in  his  Charter  assigning  it  to  Reay  Church, 
were  twelve  miles  from  Farr,  and  only  four  miles  from  Reay,  while, 
at  the  same  time,  it  was  complained  of  that  the  "  Helgedal  "  folks 
seldom  attend  church,  and  more  seldom  pay  their  dues  to  it  or  the 
priest. 

The  river  Halladale  then,  and  for  nearly  four  centuries,  became 
the  western  boundary  of  the  parish,  civilly  and  ecclesiastically,  in 
the  sheriffdom  and  diocese  of  Caithness,  till  1601,  when  James  the 
VI.,  no  doubt  at  the  instigation  of  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  whose 
hatred  of  the  Earls  of  Caithness  prompted  him  to  do  all  he 
possibly  could  to  lower  their  dignity  and  elevate  that  of  the  Earls 
of  Sutherland,  constituted  this  district  into  a  parish  of  itself,  for 
civil  and  other  purposes,  within  the  sheriffdom  of  Sutherland. 

The  eastern  boundary  of  this  parish  was  then  drawn  along  the 
summits  of  the  mountain  ridges,  which,  from  sea  to  sea,  seem 
naturally  to  form  the  boundary  line  between  the  two  counties, 
beginning  with  Druim-holliston,  on  the  north,  to  Druim-hollesdal, 
or  Eysteindal,  in  the  middle,  and  onwards  to  the  Ord  of  Caithness, 
on  the  south. 

Through  this  middle  portion  the  Sutherland  railway  passes 
into  Caithness,  and  here,  in  Eysteindal,  it  is  said  William  the 
Lion  encamped  with  his  army  in  1198  or  1202,  on  the  expedition 
which  put  an  end  to  Norse  domination  in  the  North,  and  began 
that  of  the  two  powerful  and  notable  families  oi  Sutherland  and 
Mackay,  in  Sutherland,  frequently  rivals  in  many  a  hard  conflict ; 
rarely  allies  till  the  dawn  of  the  Reformation,  when  the  Mackay 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  203-. 

chief  and  his  clansmen  embraced  its  tenets,  and  the  Sutherlands 
followed,  when  both  became  its  firm  supporters. 

The  Sutherland  portion  of  the  parish  of  Reay  comprises  an 
area  of  71,843  acres  ;  the  Caithness  portion,  46,317  acres.  The 
river  Halladale  traverses  the  Sutherland  parish  from  south  to 
north  for  22  J  miles,  and  in  that  distance  falls  1200  feet  to  sea 
level  at  Bighotise.  The  strath  formed  by  this  river  is  the  only 
inhabited  and  cultivated  part  of  the  parish,  except  the  adjoining 
villages  of  Melvich  and  Portskerray,  on  the  western  side  of  the 
bay  of  Bighouse.  Like  other  straths  in  the  Highlands,  it  has  its 
fine  meadow  and  arable  land,  and  good  hill  pasture  on  its  flanks, 
particularly  on  the  east,  towards  the  confines  of  Caithness.  While 
the  lower  end  and  upper  portions  of  it  were,  towards  the 
beginning  of  this  century,  the  scenes  of  eviction  clearances,  in  the 
middle  portion  the  inhabitants  had  the  good,  the  uniquely  good, 
fortune  to  be  left  undisturbed  by  the  wave  of  undeserved,  cruel, 
infamous  exercise  of  the  so-called  rights  of  property  in  land  that 
prevailed  in  Scotland  all  over,  and  in  the  Highlands  in  particular, 
after  the  "  fatal  day  of  Culloden,"  and  devastated  many  a  strath, 
and  made  homeless  thousands  of  the  families  of  those  brave  men 
who  were  at  the  very  time  fighting  the  battles  of  their  country 
and  conquering  for  her  in  every  field.  The  middle  of  this  strath 
was  the  only  part  of  a  glen  in  the  county  that  escaped  the  burn- 
ing evictions.  It  seemed  to  be  left  as  a  testimony  to  future 
generations  of  what  the  people  would  and  could  do  had  they  been 
left  undisturbed.  When  the  Commission  for  fixing  fair  rents 
visited  the  district  this  year,  they  found  it  content  and  prosperous 
— rents  fully  paid,  fields  well  cultivated,  houses  well  built,  and 
well  furnished,  and  other  improvements  in  progress,  shewing,  that 
if  other  glens  and  straths  had  not  been  disturbed,  nor  sterile  sea- 
coasts  congested,  peace,  contentment,  and  prosperity  would  be  the 
rule  and  not  the  exception,  would  be  general,  and  no  calls  needed 
for  Government  to  interfere,  nor  to  render  aid. 

The  strath  is  said  by  tradition  to  have  received  its  name  from 
a  Norse  chief,  slain  in  battle  near  "  Dal-halladha."  The  scene  of 
the  conflict  is  pointed  out  by  various  small  cairns,  and  near  the 
spot,  marked  out  by  a  circular  trench,  is  said  to  have  been  the 
grave  in  which  Hallad,  or  Halladha,  was  buried  with  his  sword 
beside  him.  A  stone  in  the  centre  of  the  mound  marks  the  grave. 
It  is  undoubted  that  several  battles  were  fought  hereabouts  in  the 
llth  century  between  the  Norse  and  the  Scots. 

Another  account  is  that  it  was  named  from  Helga,  the 
daughter  of  Maddan,  "a  noble  and  wealthy  man,  who  lived  at 


204  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'Dal,'  in  Katenes."  She  married  Hakod,  Earl  of  the  Orkneys, 
Katenes,  and  Sudrland,  whose  death  was  considered  a  great  loss, 
*'  for,  in  the  latter  years  of  his  reign,  there  was  peace  unbroken." 
After  Hakod's  death  "  his  sons,  Harald  and  Paul,  succeeded  him 
as  joint-rulers.  They  soon  disagreed,  and  *  divided  '  the  dominions 
between  them,  still  dissensions  continued  between  the  brothers, 
and  the  vassals  of  each  were  divided  into  factions."  Harald  held 
"  Katenes  from  the  King  of  Scots,  and  resided  there  and  in 
Sudrland,  for  he  had  many  friends  in  Sudrland."  During 
Harald's  rule,  and  after  his  death,  Helga  and  her  mother,  and  her 
sister  Frakark  exercised  great  influence  in  Sutherland,  in  this  dis- 
trict, and  in  Kildonan.  Possibly  the  strath  might  temporarily  be 
called  after  her,  but  again  reverted  to  its  more  ancient  appellation. 
These  two  sisters  were  "  Amazons "  of  the  period,  swayed  alter- 
nately by  gentle  and  fierce  passions,  by* likes  and  dislikes,  ever 
ready  to  love  and  to  hate,  and  capable  of  inciting  their  fierce 
retainers  to  deeds  of  atrocity  and  ferocity  worthy  of  the  Norse 
occupation  of  the  period,  and  engendered  the  wild  spirit  of  rapine, 
feud,  bloodshed,  and  assassination,  which  lasted  in  these  bounds 
for  four  centuries  after  Norse  rule  had  ceased. 

There  are  still  to  be  seen  in  the  upper  parts  of  Halladale  the 
ruins  of  two  Pictish  towers,  one  on  the  left  of  the  river  above 
Trantlemore,  the  other  on  the  right  above  Craggie.  In  the 
Caithness  part  of  the  district  there  are  many  more.  Whatever 
their  purpose  may  have  been,  they  are  still  to  be  seen.  Whether 
built  by  the  Picts  for  defence  from  sea  rovers,  or  by  the  Norse 
men  for  protection  from  the  natives  they  despoiled  and  ill-used, 
as  they  did  in  France,  England,  and  elsewhere,  is  a  subject  still 
in  doubt. 

The  topography  of  this  district  is,  on  the  whole,  of  Gaelic 
origin,  evincing  only  partial  expulsion  and  subjection  of  the 
natives  by  the  Norse  men.  Yet  in  the  Caithness  portion  of  the 
parish  place  names  of  essentially  Norse  origin  abound,  more 
especially  in  the  plain,  while  those  in  the  more  hilly  parts  to 
which  the  natives  retired  have  retained  their  Gaelic  description. 

The  parish  name  has  been  variously  written  in  charters.  Ra, 
in  1223  to  1245,  time  of  Gilbert  Murray,  who  would  know  Gaelic ; 
Ray,  in  1560  to  1566  ;  Rhae,  in  1640  ;  Rae,  in  MSS.  and  maps 
1642  to  1726;  Reay,  since  the  latter  date.  The  name  is  pro- 
bably derived  from  the  most  conspicuous  object  in  the  landscape 
of  the  district — Beinn-Ratha — whose  summit  rises  nearly  800  feet 
above  sea  level  at  a  distance  of  2J  miles  from  the  shore, 
dominating  by  its  towering  altitude  and  fortress-like  appearance 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  205 

all  other  objects  within  miles  around  it.  Viewed  from  the  sea  or 
from  the  plains  of  Caithness,  it  presents  against  the  horizon  an 
object  very  much  like  a  formidable  circular  and  terraced  earth 
work.  The  word  is  pronounced  by  the  Gaelic-speaking  natives  as 
Rath  or  Ra.  It  would  seem  the  mountain  received  its 
appelation  from  its  appearance,  and  transferred  it  to  the  district 
surrounding.  Another  appellation  given  the  district,  and  found 
in  Kob  Doun's  poetry,  is  Miogh-rath.  What  "  Miogh"  may  mean, 
it  is  difficult  to  say.  Moy-rath,  the  mound  in  the  plain,  from 
Moy,  magh,  plain. 

Near  the  shore  on  the  Caithness  side  is  Dun-reay,  once  a  seat 
of  the  Mackays.  It  was  from  this  place  they  took  their  title. 
The  greater  part  of  the  parish  belonged  to  them  till  the  first  Lord 
Reay  disposed  of  it  to  provide  the  sinews  of  war  for  his  romantic 
expedition  into  Germany  in  support  of  the  King  of  Denmark  and 
Gustavus  Adolphus  in  the  cause  of  Protestantism,  1626-1634. 
Near  Dun-reay  once  stood  a  town  of  some  antiquity  and 
importance.  It  had  its  streets,  market  cross,  two  annual  fairs, 
arid  other  privileges.  The  site  of  it  was  laid  bare  in  1750  by  a 
water  spout. 

MOUNTAINS. 

Beinn  rath — G.,  circular-looking  mountain,  795  feet  high. 

Beinn  ruadh — G.,  red  mountain,  835  feet ;  Welsh,  rliud ; 
Manx,  ruy,  red ;  Scot.,  roy ;  Corn.,  rydh ;  Arm.,  ryudh ;  Fr., 
rouge  ;  Lat.,  rufus  ;  Gr.,  ereudos  ;  Norse,  raudr,  red. 

Cnoc-na-ceardaich — G.,  hill  of  the  smithy,  indicating  that  iron 
ore  was  found,  smelted,  and  manufactured  in  the  vicinity,  628  ft. 

Cnoc-feadaireachd-na-gaoithe — G.,  hill  of  the  whistling  of  the 
wind,  700  feet ;  Manx,  geay  ;  Welsh,  gwynt,  wind. 

Cnoc-bad-mhairtein — G.,  hill  of  the  polecat  thicket,  747  feet. 

Cnoc-an-f  huaran-bhaiii  —  G.,  hill  of  the  clear  spring,  797  feet; 
G.,  ban,  fair ;  Ir.,  ban,  fair ;  Manx,  ban,  fair. 

Cnoc-lochan-na-clachgrala — G.,  hill  of  the  lakelet  of  white 
stones,  692  feet ;  geala,  pi.  of  gral,  white  ;  Ir.,  geal ;  Manx,  gial, 
white  ;  Gr.,  gala,  milk. 

Cnoc-nan-gall — G.,  hill  of  the  strangers,  902  feet. 

Cnoc-nan-tri-chlach — G.,  hill  of  the  three  stones;  Ir.,  cloch; 
Manx,  clagh,  1135  feet. 

Cnoc-freicadain — G.,  hill  of  the  sentinels,  523  feet  (watching 
for  the  Caithness  reivers). 

Cnoc-a-mhuillinn — G.,  hill  of  the  mill,  400  feet ;  Welsh, 
Melin  ;  Corn.,  melin  ;  Arm.,  melen  ;  Manx,  mwyllin  ;  Ir.,  muillenn; 
Fr.,  moulin  ;  Gr.,  mula. 


"206  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Meall-mor — G.,  big  lump,  357  feet ;  Welsh,  moel ;  Manx, 
mooyl,  mull. 

LAKES. 

Loch-croeach — G.,  shaped  like  the  hand  when  outspread. 

Loch-crosgach — G.,  shaped  cross  ways,  in  the  form  of  a  cross. 

Loch-nan-gall — G.,  lake  of  the  strangers. 

Loch-na-eaglais  mor — G.,  lake  of  the  big  church,  so  called 
from  its  proximity  to  Kirkton  Church,  a  place  of  worship  in  1574. 
In  1726  the  minister  of  Reay  Church  was  bound  to  preach  in  it 
eight  times  a  year.  This  church  no  longer  exists,  but  the 
burying  place  attached  to  it  is  still  used. 

Loch-achredigill — G.,  achadh,  field ;  reidh,  plain  ;  and  gille, 
lad  or  servant ;  the  lake  in  the  field  of  the  lad's  or  servant's  plain, 
•or  meadow. 

Loch-na-seilge — G.,  lake  of  the  hunting,  seilge,  gen.  sing,  of 
sealg  ;  Manx,  sheilg  ;  Ir.,  sealg  ;  Wei.,  helfa,  pro  :  helva. 

Loch-achrain — G.,  achadh,  and  draighean,  thorns,  lake  of  the 
field  of  thorns  ;  Wei.,  draen,  thorns  ;  Corn.,  dren  ;  Ir.,  draighean. 

PLACE    NAMES. 

Achvullin — G.,  achadh,  and  muillin,  mill,  the  mill  field. 

Achumore  — G.,  achadh,  and  mor,  the  big  field. 

Achredigill — G.,  see  lake  name,  the  field  on  the  lad's  or  ser- 
vant's slope,  or  meadow 

Ardachy — G.,  ard,  high,  and  achadh,  the  high  field  ;  Ir.,  ard  ; 
Manx,  ard. 

Bighouse — N.,  bygg-hus,  a  barley  barn,  or  barley  store,  after- 
wards applied  to  the  house  of  one  who  let  land,  and  received  rent 
in  kind.  It  may  be  an  Anglicised  term.  In  Strath  Halladale  are 
two  places  of  this  name,  7  miles  apart,  Lower  and  Upper  Bighouse. 
The  Gaelic  name  is  Bunaibhne,  or  Bun-amhuinn,  lower  part  of  the 
river.  Sometimes  Lower  Bighouse  is  called  Torr,  from  the  hill 
that  adjoins  it. 

Calgary — G.,  cal,  cabbage,  and  garadh,  garden.  Robertson 
deduces  Calgarry  in  Inverness  and  Argyll  from  Gala,  a  harbour, 
and  gearraidh,  preserved  pasture.  Here  is  no  harbour,  there  may 
have  been  a  ferry,  and  there  are  meadows  which  were  no  doubt 
preserved  for  mowing  when  there  was  population  in  this  part  of 
Strath  Halladale. 

Croick — G.,  croc,  croic,  deer  horns,  shaped  like  the  branches  of 
deer  horns ;  cnoc,  small  hill,  is  sometimes  pronounced  as  croc, 
hillock,  as  it  was  in  Cornish.  Kryk,  hillock,  croc,  croic,  is  fre- 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  207 

<|uently  applied  to  the  hand,  which  is  finger  branched.  In 
Sutherland  the  term  is  common,  and  applied  to  land  at  river  sides 
•cut  into  branches  by  streams  and  hillocks. 

Cuilfearn — G.,  cuil,  nook,  and  fearna,  alder,  the  alder  nook, 
here  in  reference  to  a  bend  in  the  river  in  which  alders  grow. 

Dal-halvaig — G.,  dail-an-t-sealbhaig,  dell  of  the  sorrel. 

Forsinain — The  first  syllable  of  this  word  is  evidently  Norse, 
meaning  a  torrent ;  the  last  is  a  corruption  of  the  Gaelic  word 
"mhan,"  or  bhan,  down,  hence  Fors-a-Mhan,  "the  lower  torrent," 
to  distinguish  from  another  higher  up,  named 

Forsinard — Fors,  as  above,  torrent,  and  Ard,  or  airde,  upper,  or 
higher  up,  hence  Fors-an-airde,  the  torrent  higher  up,  two  miles 
apart.  The  river  Forse,  in  Caithness,  rises  on  the  other  side 
of  the  ridge  or  watershed  of  the  Sutherland  "  Forses."  The 
former  runs  N.E.,  the  latter  N.W.,  the  ridge  dividing  the  sources. 
Were  it  not  for  the  occupation  of  these  districts  by  the  Norsemen 
for  upwards  of  two  centuries,  we  might  be  inclined  to  infer  from 
the  gently  rising  acclivities  of  these  streams,  and  wide  openings 
thus  made  in  the  hills,  that  "  fors"  was  a  corruption  of  the  Gaelic 
"farsuing,"  wide,  spacious,  which  agrees  with  their  aspect;  it 
would  then  be  "farming  a  mkan,"  and  " farsuing-an-airde"  con- 
tracted into  " fars-a-mhan"  and  "fars-an-airde"  In  either  case 
the  appellation  would  be  applicable. 

Golval — G.,  gall,  strangers,  and  baile,  township,  the  township 
of  the  strangers,  two  miles  from  Bighouse,  the  lord  of  which 
probably  drew  rents  from  Golval  in  kind,  and  stored  them  in  his 
"bygg-hus." 

Kirkton — Anglicised  form  of  Bail-na-h-eaglais.     See  lake  name. 

Kealsey — G.,  probably  from  Cil,  cell,  and  eassaich  (essie),  gen. 
of  easach,  rocky  stream,  the  cell  at  the  rocky  stream,  Kil-easaich, 
Kealsey. 

Melvich — N.,  from  melr,  or  melar,  sand-hills  covered  with 
bent-grass.  Called  elsewhere  links,  dunes,  and  downs,  and  vik, 
bay,  the  bay  of  the  benty  sand-hills. 

Portskerra — N.,  port,  a  gate,  an  opening,  and  sker,  an  isolated 
rock  hidden  at  high  tide,  hence,  port  of  the  hidden  rocks,  gen. 
plu.  of  sker  is  sker j a,  G.,  port,  a  haven,  sgeir,  a  rock  in  the  sea, 
hence,  port  in  the  rocks.  From  such  instances  as  these,  it  is 
evident  that  the  Gaelic  has  borrowed  words  from  the  Norse,  and 
the  Norse  from  the  Gaelic.  We  know  of  many  such  instances. 

Trantle-mor,  and  beg — Norse,  trantr,  snout,  or  projection  of 
land,  now  pronounced  "  trantle"  instead  of  "  trauter,"  the  Norse 
way ;  mor  and  beag,  Gaelic  adjectives  to  distinguish  the  one  from 
the  other,  lying  near  to  each  other  on  different  sides  of  the  Halia- 


208  Gie/ic  Society  of  Inverness. 

dale.  At  each  of  these  places  the  river  makes  a  bend,  the  land 
projects  and  causes  the  bends  in  the  form  of  a  snout.  In  ancient 
charters  these  place-names  are  written  "  Troun-tales." 


6th  APRIL,  1892. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  held  on  this  date,  a  paper  was  read 
which  was  contributed  by  Mr  Alexander  Macpherson,  solicitor, 
Kingussie,  on  "  The  Old  Castles  of  Ruthven  and  the  Lords  of 
Badenoch." 


13th  APRIL, 

At  this  meeting  the  Secretary  read  a  paper  contributed  by 
Mr  Alexander  M.  Mackintosh,  London,  on  "  Clan  Chattan  Gene- 
alogies." Mr  Mackintosh's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

CLAN  CHATTAN  GENEALOGIES. 

The  Clan  Chattan  is  perhaps  second  to  none  in  the  number 
and  value  of  its  genealogical  and  historical  manuscripts.  Of  its 
three  principal  divisions  in  modern  times,  the  Mackintoshes  and 
Farquharsons  have  two  each,  and  the  Macphersons  one,  all  of 
distinct  importance,  while  several  of  the  families  of  the  smaller 
septs  have  preserved  pedigrees,  carrying  them  back  step  by  step 
to  their  respective  stems,  from  which  they  struck  out  two  or  three 
centuries  ago.  Perhaps  I  may  be  allowed  to  refer  as  an  example 
to  the  pedigree  of  my  own  branch  of  the  Shaws.  This  came  to 
me  from  a  great-grand-aunt,  who  was  daughter  of  Angus  Shaw 
of  Tordarroch,  an  officer  of  the  Mackintosh  regiment  in  the  '15, 
and  wife  of  Farquhar  Macgillivray  of  Dalcrombie,  one  of  the  three 
officers  of  the  Mackintosh  regiment  who  survived  the  battle  of 
Culloden.  It  gives  the  descent  of  the  family  in  eight  generations 
from  Adam,  youngest  son  of  James  Mackintosh  (or  Shaw)  of 
Kothiemurcus,  who  was  killed  at  Harlaw  in  1411,  and  was  the 
son  of  Shaw  Mor  Mackintosh,  the  leader  of  the  Clan  Chattan 
champions  in  the  clan  battle  at  Perth  in  1396.  Except  as  regards 
the  omission  of  one  name — that  of  Adam's  son,  Robert — in  the  line 
of  descent,  this  pedigree  is  perfectly  correct,1  as  I  have  proved  by 

1  There  is  one  other  omission,  that  of  Adam,  grandson  of  the  Robert 
here  mentioned,  but  he  was  not  in  the  line  of  descent,  which  was  carried  on 
by  his  younger  brother  Angus.  Of  this  Adam  I  propose  to  say  more  here- 
after. 


Clan  Ohattan  Genealogies.  209 

sasine  and  other  records,  and  as  Mrs  Macgillivray  had  no  possible 
means  of  compiling  so  correct  a  pedigree  for  herself,  it  is  obvious 
that  she  must  have  obtained  her  information  from  some  record  kept 
in  the  family.  This  record,  however,  is  not  now  to  be  found. 

It  is  with  the  genealogies  of  the  more  important  septs,  however, 
that  I  propose  now  to  deal,  and  after  a  brief  description  of  those 
belonging  respectively  to  the  Mackintoshes,  the  Macphersons,  and 
the  Farquh arsons,  I  propose  to  confine  my  attention  to  the 
genealogy  of  the  first-named  clan. 

I.  The  Latin  MS.  "  History  of  the  Mackintoshes,"  by  Lachlan 
Mackintosh  of  Kinrara,  of  date  about  1670,  which  I  will  call  the 
Kinrara  MS.,  is  contained  in  a  leather  covered  book  of  small  8vo, 
or  large  12mo  size,  preserved  in  the  charter  chest  of  The  Mac- 
kintosh. Its  writer  was  brother  of  William,  18th  Chief  of 
Mackintosh,  and  for  some  years  managed  the  affairs  of  both  his 
brother  and  his  nephew,  the  19th  Chief,  so  that  he  would  have 
had  full  access  to  the  charters  and  other  records  of  the  family. 
This  MS.  traces  the  history  and  genealogy  of  the  family  of  Mac- 
kintosh from  the  settlement  in  the  north  of  Shaw,  son  of  the  Earl 
of  Fife,  in  the  second  half  of  the  12th  century.  Down  to  1550  it 
is  professedly  founded  on  three  earlier  MSS.,  the  first  written  by 
Ferquhard,  12th  Chief,  in  1502,  giving  the  history  from  the  Earl 
of  Fife  down  to  the  death  of  the  llth  Chief,  in  1496 ;  the  second, 
by  Andrew  Macphai],  parson  of  Croy,  giving  the  history  also  from 
the  Earl  of  Fife  down  to  the  murder  of  William,  the  15th  Chief, 
in  1550;  and  the  third,  by  George  Munro  of  Davochgartie,  giving 
the  history  of  Ferquhard,  the  12th  Chief,  and  his  three  successors. 
These  earlier  MSS.  are  not  known  to  be  in  existence  now,  and  it  is 
to  be  feared  that  they  shared  the  fate  of  many  of  the  family 
documents  and  evidents  during  the  temporary  occupation  of  Moy 
Hall  by  a  party  of  Grants  in  1746  ;  but  Lachlan  of  Kinrara  states 
that  he  actually  embodied  their  subject  matter  in  his  own  MS., 
and  as  he  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  strict  honour,  and  could 
have  no  object  in  drawing  on  his  imagination,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  he  states  what  was  an  absolute  fact.  He  was,  besides, 
one  of  the  most  accurate  and  precise  of  men,  as  is  evidenced  by 
the  traces  of  his  hand  among  the  family  papers  that  are  left,  and 
we  may  feel  certain  that  every  mention  which  he  makes  of  date, 
charter,  or  bond  was  verified,  whenever  possible,  by  reference  to 
original  documents.  Indeed,  many  of  his  statements,  made  pre- 
sumably on  the  authority  of  the  earlier  MSS.,  are  corroborated  by 
the  records  of  other  families.  As  might  be  expected,  the  Kinrara 

11 


210  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

MS.  is  particularly  full  in  its  account  of  affairs  during  the  writer's 
own  time  and  immediately  preceding  it. 

II.  The  next   Mackintosh   MS.  genealogy   is  entirely  in   the 
handwriting  of  the  Rev.  Lachlan  Shaw,  author  of  the   "  History 
of  the  Province  of  Moray,"   published  in   1775.     It  is  entitled 
"  Memoirs    Genealogical  and   Historical   of   the  Family   of  Mac- 
kintosh,   with    an    Introduction    concerning    the     Families     of 
Macduff  and  Clan  Chattan,"   and  bears   the  date    1758.      It  is 
unsigned,     but   has    the    same    motto  — "  Antiquam    exquirite 
matrem " — as  the    "  History  of  Moray."      So   far   as   the   Mac- 
kintoshes are  concerned,  it   brings   down  the  genealogy    of  the 
chief  family  and  the  several  branches  from  the  Earls  of  Fife  to  the 
writer's  own  time.     Like  the  Kinrara  MS.,  it  belongs  to  the  Chief 
of  Mackintosh,  but  cannot  now  be  found.     I  have  not  seen  it  since 
the  year  1872,  when  it  was  lent  to  me  for  a  few  days  by  the  late 
Mackintosh,  during  one  of  his  visits  to  Lendon,  and  was  returned 
into  his  own  hands.     Possibly  this  notice  of  it   may  lead  to  its 
restoration  to  the  family.     According  to  my  recollection,   it  is  a 
quarto  book  of  some  80  or  100  pages,  with  rather  close  but  very 
clear  writing.     The  pedigree  of  the  Mackintosh  Chiefs  down  to 
1770  is  given  at  page  44  of  the  "  History  of  Moray." 

III.  The  MS.  genealogy  of  the  Macphersons  is  the  work  of  Sir 
.Eneas  Macpherson,   second  son  of    William   of    Invereshie    and 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Robert  Farquharson  of  Invercauld.     He  was 
an  advocate  during  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  when  he  received  the 
honour  of  knighthood,  and  for  some  years  after  his  elder  brother's 
death  acted  as  tutor  of  Invereshie.     He  was  well  versed  in  the 
family  and  clan  history  of  his  country,  and,   like  Mackintosh  of 
Kinrara,  had  exceptional   facilities  for  tracing  the  genealogy  and 
history  of  his  own  clan.     To  this  work  he  brought  considerable 
legal    acumen   and  a   great  capacity  for  taking  pains,   and   his 
genealogy  for  several  generations  down  to   his  own  time  may, 
perhaps,   be  accepted  as  generally  trustworthy.     But  most  of  the 
earlier  portion,  particularly  that  treating  of  the  old  Clan  Chattan, 
is  too  palpably   fabulous,  and  one  only  wonders  that   a   writer 
usually  so  careful  and  judicious  should  have  been  carried  away  by 
the  stories  of  sennachies.     It  is  extremely  likely,  however,  that  in 
the  main  his  genealogy  from  about  the   12th  century  was  based 
on   either  some  written  record  or  well-founded   tradition.      For 
example,   he   gives   Muirich,    Parson   of  Kingussie,    as   father   of 
Gillicattan  and  Ewen  Baan  early  in  the  13th  century,  and  there 
can  be  little  doubt  that  Muirich  was  a  progenitor  of  the  clan,  as  it 
was  called  by  his  name.     He  also  speaks  of  the  three  sons  of  Ewen 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  211 

Baan  by  the  names  of  Kenneth,  Ian,  and  Gillies,  and  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  persons  bearing  these  names  were  of  importance  in 
the  clan,  as  we  find  the  three  main  branches — of  Cluny,  Pitmean, 
and  Invereshie — called  respectively  Sliochd  Kynich,  Sliochd  Ian, 
and  Sliochd  Gillies.  The  MS.  is  in  the  possession  of  Cluny 
Macpherson.  I  have  not  seen  it,  but  I  have  had  the  loan  of  a 
«opy  belonging  to  the  late  Dr  John  Stuart. 

With  the  Macpherson  genealogy  in  Douglas'  "  Baronage," 
which  is  followed  in  Burke's  "  Landed  Gentry,"  I  do  not  propose 
to  meddle.  It  has  already  been  shown  by  Mr  Eraser-Mackintosh 
to  be  seriously  incorrect,  and  it  is  clear  that  the  compiler,  whoever 
.he  was,  did  not  confine  himself  to  Sir  ^Eneas'  MS. 

IV.  The  first  Farquharson  genealogy  of  which  there  is  trace, 
•was  written  probably  about  1680,  as  it  speaks  of  John  of  Inver- 
•cauld,  who  succeeded  his  father,  Alexander,  in  that  year.  I  am 
not  aware  whether  it  is  now  in  existence.  It  properly  deduces 
the  Farquharsons  from  the  Shaws  of  Rothimurcus,  but  brings 
these  direct  from  the  Earls  of  Fife,  instead  of  through  the  Mac- 
kintoshes, making  the  Mackintoshes  the  off-spring  of  the  eldest, 
and  the  Shaws  the  off-spring  of  the  third  son  of  one  of  the  Earls. 
Who  its  author  was  does  not  appear,  but  whoever  he  was,  he  seems 
to  have  had  a  very  hazy  idea  of  the  family  history,  and  to,  have 
jumbled  up  his  information  in  a  most,  extraordinary  manner.  His 
main  object  seems  to  have  been  to  glorify  the  family  of  Invercauld, 
then  rapidly  rising  in  importance,  and  he  goes  so  far  in  his 
'Obsequiousness  as  to  make  the  head  of  that  branch  of  the 
Farquharsons  chief,  not  only  of  all  the  Farquharsons,  but  even  of 
the  Shaws,  although  a  little  inquiry  would  have  shown  him  that 
there  were  still  Shaws  in  Rothimurcus  descended  from  Shaw  Mor, 
and  that  among  the  Farquharsons  themselves  the  family  of  Inver- 
cauld was  junior  to  the  family  of  Craigniety  and  the  numerous 
descendants  of  Donald  of  Castleton.  His  misstatements,  whether 
due  to  ignorance  or  servility,  appear  to  have  aroused  the  ire  of 
Sir  ^Eneas  Macpherson,  whose  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  of 
Invercauld.  En  a  "  Letter  to  a,  Friend "  that  worthy  knight 
handles  the  would-be  genealogist  most  unmercifully,  pointing  out, 
in  the  plainest  terms,  his  many  errors  and  their  absurdity,  and 
utterly  demolishing  his  pseudo-historical  house  of  cards.  Sir 
^Eneas'  letter,  which  is  in  the  possession  of  Sir  George  Macpherson- 
Grant  of  Invereshie  and  Ballindalloch,  is  headed  "  Vanitie  Exposed, 
or,  a  Plain  and  Short  Answer  to  a  late  Peaper,  Intituled  the 
Genealogie  of  the  Farquharsons,  wherein  the  Authour's  Ignorance 
.and  Self-contradictioun  are  sett  in  their  true  light,  and  the  Right 


212  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Genealogie  of  that  modern  Family  briefly  hinted  att  from  the  con- 
curring Testimonies  of  the  Shaws,  the  Farquharsons  themselves, 
and  all  their  neighbour  families.  In  a  letter  to  a  Friend  by  No 
Enemy  of  theirs,  but  a  friend  to  Truth,  Sir  ^Eneas  Macpherson  of 
Invereshie,  knight." 

V.  A  more  trustworthy  genealogy  of  the  Farquharsons  is  one 
compiled  in  1733  by  Alexander  Farquharson  of  Brouchdearg.  I 
do  not  know  where  it  is  to  be  found,  but  some  twenty  years  ago  I 
had  the  loan  of  a  copy  belonging  to  the  late  Dr  John  Stuart  of 
the  Register  House.  The  writer,  evidently  having  in  view  the 
genealogy  last  referred  to,  begins  by  stating  that  he  leaves  "  all 
that's  controverted  or  obscure  about  their  descent  from  the  Thanes 
of  Fife  .  .  .  their  actions  and  alliances  at  their  first  appear- 
ance, to  such  as  can  find  clearer  evidence  for  them  than  [he  is]  able 
to  get  by  conversing  with  the  oldest  m^i,  and  comparing  what 
has  been  wrote  before  on  the  subject."  He  gives  the  descent 
of  the  families  of  Farquharson  from  "  Farquhar  Shaw,  whose  name 
first  gave  rise  to  this  surname,  and  who  came  over  from  Rothi- 
murcus,  and  took  up  his  residence  near  the  Linn  of  Dee,"  down  to* 
the  year  in  which  he  wrote. 

Of  these  several  genealogies,  the  last  mentioned  is  the  only  one 
which,  to  my  knowledge,  has  never  been  called  in  question,  so- 
that  I  propose  to  treat  it  as  accepted,  and  dismiss  it  from  our  con- 
sideration, together  with  the  other  Farquharson  genealogy.  With 
the  genealogies  of  the  Mackintoshes  and  Macphersons  the  case  is. 
different.  They  have  been  not  only  questioned,  but  even  declared 
to  be  without  support — so  far,  at  least,  as  down  to  the  middle  of 
the  15th  century — and  that  by  no  less  an  authority  than  the 
Historiographer-Royal  for  Scotland,  Mr  W.  F.  Skene.1  Mr  Skene 
does  not  mention  the  recognised  Macpherson  genealogy,  that  of 
Sir  /Eneas,  in  his  writings,  but  in  his  "  Highlanders  of  Scotland  " 
lie  gives  the  Macphersons  a  widely  different  descent,  from  a  Gaelic 
MS.  of  1450  (or  1467),  so  that  if  he  then  knew  of  the  existence  of 
the  recognised  genealogy,  we  may  assume  that  he  considered  that 
to  be  the  one  which  could  not  be  supported.  But  the  descent 
which  in  the  i(  Highlanders  of  Scotland"  he  gives  to  the  Mac- 
phersons, he  hands  over  in  "  Celtic  Scotland  "  to  some  "  older 
Mackintoshes,"  whom  he  identifies  with  the  Mackintoshes  or  Shaws 
of  Rothinmrcus,  so  that  we  scarcely  know  where  we  are  so  far  as 
the  Macphersons  are  concerned,  and  therefore  I  propose  to  confine 
my  remarks  to  what  he  says  on  the  Mackintosh  genealogy.  As. 

1  Mr  Skene  has  died  since  thw  paper  was  written. 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  213 

Tiis  views  on  this  subject  have  been  brought  under  the  notice  of 
this  Society  by  one  of  its  leading  and  most  valued  members,  Mr 
Alexander  Macbain,  in  his  paper  of  the  5th  of  March,  1890 
(Transactions,  vol.  xvi.),  I  need  perhaps  offer  no  apology  for 
asking  the  members  to  hear  a  few  words  on  the  other  side. 

Both  Mr  Skene  and  Mr  Macbain  are  men  of  well-earned 
reputation  and  position  in  the  world  of  Celtic  research,  but  it  does 
not  follow  that  everything  they  say  on  Highland  history  is 
absolutely  correct,  or  that  all  their  theories  and  opinions  are  such 
as  can  safely  be  accepted,  or  are  even  founded  on  common  cense. 
Since  the  appearance  of  Mr  Skene's  elegant  volumes  entitled 
"  Celtic  Scotland,"  it  has,  unfortunately,  become  the  fashion  among 
writers  on  Highland  subjects  to  refer  (and  defer)  to  that  gentleman 
as  the  final  authority  on  any  question  relating  to  the  clans  and 
their  early  history,  and  to  regard  whatever  he  is  pleased  to  say  or 
think  as  unimpeachable.  This  is  a  fashion  which  1,  for  one,  can- 
not understand  ;  I  can  only  suppose  that  those  who  thus  bow  down 
and  worship  him  cannot  have  read  his  utterances  very  carefully, 
or  have  observed  the  contradictions  which  they  contain,  the  worth- 
lessness  of  the  testimony  on  which  some  of  the  arguments  are 
based,  and  the  insufficiency  or  incorrectness  of  the  premises  on 
which  some  of  the  conclusions  are  reached.  Mr  Macbain  in  his 
paper  accepts,  a,nd  endeavours  to  fortify,  Mr  Skene's  views  on 
certain  matters  of  importance  in  the  Mackintosh  genealogy,  and, 
therefore — for  the  convenience  of  the  Society's  members  who 
possess  the  Transactions,  but  may  not  all  possess  Mr  Skene's  book — 
I  will  in  the  main  restrict  my  remarks  to  the  points  dealt  with  in 
that  paper  : — 

(1st).  Considerable  weight  is  allowed  by  both  Mr  Skene  and 
Mr  Macbain  to  the  genealogies  given  in  the  Gaelic  MS.  of  1467  in 
the  Advocates'  Library,  and  Mr  Skene  goes  so  far  as  to  declare 
that  they  "may  be  held  to  be  authentic  "  as  far  back  as  the 
common  ancestor  from  whom  each  clan  takes  its  name,  though  he 
does  not  support  his  declaration  by  reasons.  Let  us  now  see  what 
this  MS.  is.  At  page  338  of  Vol.  III.  of  "  Celtic  Scotland  "  Mr 
Skene  says  :  — "  There  is  ample  evidence  that  during  this  period 
[i.e  ,  the  14th  and  15th  centuries],  a  great  proportion  of  the  High- 
land seannachies  were  Irish,  and  that  all  reverted  to  Ireland  for 
instruction  in  their  art.  It  could  hardly  have  been  otherwise  than 
that,  with  the  disappearance  of  the  old  Highland  pedigrees,  every 
presumption  and  analogy  would  have  driven  these  seannachies  to 
the  better-preserved  Irish  pedigrees,  to  replace  what  had  been 
lost,  by  connecting  them  more  directly  with  the  Irish  tribes. 


214  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

For  the  clan  genealogies  at  this  time  we  must,  therefore,, 
refer  to  the  Irish  MSS.,  and  they  are,  in  fact,  the  oldest  pedigrees 
which  have  been  preserved.  The  MS.  collection*  in  which  we-" 
first  find  them  are,  first,  the  Book  of  Ballimote,  compiled  in  the 
year  1383 ;  the  Book  of  Leccau,  compiled  in  1407  ;  and  a  MS. 
belonging  to  the  Faculty  of  Advocates,  bearing  the  date  1467,  but 
the  genealogies  in  which  are  obviously  derived  from  the  same 
source  as  those  in  the  Book  of  Ballimote."  At  p.  8  of  Vol.  II.  of 
his  "Highlanders  of  Scotland,"  published  in  1847,  Mr  Skene 
mentions  that  he  discovered  this  MS.  of  1467  in  the  Advocates' 
Library,  and  "  after  a  strict  and  attentive  examination  of  its  con- 
tents and  appearance,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  must  have 
been  written  by  a  person  of  the  name  of  Maclachlan  as  early  as 
the  year  1450,  and  this  conclusion  with*regard  to  its  antiquity 
was  afterwards  confirmed  by  discovering  upon  it  the  date  of  1467." 
It  gives  pedigrees — or,  at  any  rate,  strings  of  names  purporting  to 
be  pedigrees — of  most  of  the  Highland  clank,  from  the  Macgregors 
and  Macnabs  in  the  south,  to  the  Mathesons  in  the  north,  and 
carries  back  some  of  them  to  periods  when  the  centuries  were 
numbered  with  only  three  figures.  For  example,  it  takes  back 
the  Campbells  to  King  Arthur,  son  of  Uther  Pendragon,  who,  if 
he  ever  existed  at  all,  save  in  the  imagination  of  French  romancers 
of  the  age  of  chivalry,  was  contemporary  with  the  Roman 
occupation  of  Britain. 

T  have  already  intimated  my  inability  to  regard  Mr  Skene's 
statements  and  opinions  as  infallible,  and  before  I  can  accept  these 
pedigrees  for  which  he  stands  sponsor,  or  any  one  of  them,  as 
correct,  I  should  like  to  know  who  the  supposed  Maclachlan  was, 
and  to  have  some  valid  reason  why  his  testimony,  or  even  that  of 
the  Book  of  Ballymote,  is  to  be  preferred  to  the  testimony  of  the 
clans  themselves.  Was  an  Irishman  of  the  14th  and  15th 
centuries  more  honest  or  less  liable  to  error  than  a  Scots  High- 
lander of  the  same  period  ?  If  the  Highlander  could  be  guilty  of 
manufacturing  a  string  of  names  to  connect  his  family  with  some 
notable  person  in  Scottish  history,  might  not  the  Irishman  adopt 
a  similar  course  in  order  to  glorify  the  legendary  heroes  of  Ireland? 
Irishmen  in  our  own  century  have  not  been  slack  or  shy  in  holding 
up  their  country  as  the  home  of  valour  and  worth  in  ancient  times, 
and  I  do  not  suppose  that  Irishmen  of  four  or  five  centuries  ago 
were  less  patriotically  inclined.  Again,  the  fact  of  which  Mr 
Skene  says  there  is  "ample  evidence,"  although  he  does  not 
indicate  where — that  in  the  14th  and  15th  centuries  many  of  the 
Highland  seannachies  were  Irish,  or  that  Irish  seannachies  of  that 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  215 

period  were  better  informed  than  those  of  the  Highlands — does  not 
prove  that  the  descents  which  they  give  during  previous  centuries 
are  more  correct  than  those  of  the  clans  themselves,  or  even  that 
they  are  correct  at  all.  How  are  the  Irish  seannachies  supposed 
to  have  obtained  their  information  1  How,  for  example,  did  they 
ascertain  the  names  of  the  heads  of  Clan  Campbell,  or  Clan  Duft', 
or  any  other  clan,  back  from  son  to  father,  successively,  to  the  3rd 
or  4th  century  of  the  Christian  era,  or  even  back  to  the  time  when 
the  representative  of  the  clan  had  landed  in  Scotland  ?  Are  we  to 
believe  that  during  all  these  hundreds  of  years  special  corres- 
pondents in  Scotland  had  notified  every  change  of  leadership  to  a 
college  of  seannachies  or  other  central  office  in  Ireland,  and  that 
the  pedigree  books  in  such  establishment  were  regularly  posted  up 
like  the  Peerages  and  Directories  of  the  present  day  ?  It  is  not 
enough  to  say,  as  Mr  Skene  does,  that  the  pedigrees  are  "  in 
general  tolerably  well  vouched  "  as  far  back  as  the  eponymus  or 
common  ancestor  whose  name  was  adopted  by  the  clan,  and  that 
this  later  portion  "  may  be  held  to  be  authentic."  The  vouching 
given  by  Mr  Skene  in  the  notes  to  his  pedigrees  in  the  appendix 
to  vol.  iii.  of  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  is  very  slight  indeed ;  in  thirty- 
five  main  pedigrees,  some  of  which  include  two  or  more 
subordinate  pedigrees,  the  references  to  documents  do  not  exceed 
a  dozen,  and  they  mostly  relate  to  names  of  the  14th  and  15th 
centuries.  If  the  pedigrees  are  not  trustworthy  before,  say,  the 
year  1000  or  1100,  [  cannot  see  why  they  should  be  held  to 
become  so  after  that  date.  To  my  mind  it  appears  only 
reasonable  to  believe  that  the  heads  of  a  clan  would  be  likely 
to  know  their  descent  from  their  eponymus  far  better  than  any 
Irish  seannachie,  however  learned  he  may  have  been  in  the 
history  of  the  ancient  Kings  of  Ireland,  imaginary  or  real,  and 
if  the  matter  is  regarded  from  a  common-sense  point  of  view,  1 
think  it  must  be  admitted  that,  whether  the  ordinarily  accepted 
genealogies  of  the  clans  themselves  are  correct  or  not,  no  suffi- 
cient ground  appears  for  believing  that  the  Irish  genealogies  of 
the  Highland  clans,  given  in  the  Book  of  Ballymote  and  the  MS. 
of  1467,  are  correct.  I  am  not  aware  that  inspiration  has  as  yet 
been  claimed  for  them. 

(2nd).  Coming  more  particularly  to  the  Mackintosh  genealogy, 
we  find  in  Mr  Macbain's  paper  (on  p.  164  of  the  Transactions, 
1889-90),  three  lists — one  giving  the  pedigree  of  the  Mac- 
kintoshes, as  contained  in  their  own  recognised  genealogy,  from 
Ferchar,  12th  Chief,  back  to  the  Earl  of  Fife,  the  others  giving 
two  lines  of  pedigree,  taken  from  the  MS.  of  1467,  back  to  two 


216 


Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 


persons  named  respectively  Neill  and  Nachtain,  supposed  to  have 
been  sons  of  a  certain  Gillicattan.  For  convenience  I  reproduce 
these  lists  here,  slightly  altering  their  order  :  — 


(a}  Mackintosh  History. 

(12)  Ferchar,  d.  1514 

(9)  Ferchar  (11)    Duncan, 

d.  1496 


(b)  1467  MS. 
William  &  Donald 

William 


(8)  Lachlan   &   (10)    Mal- 

colm, d.  1457  I  Ferchar  (1382) 

(7)  William,  d.  1368  William 

(6)  Angus,  d.  1345  Gillamichol 

(5)  Ferchar,  d.  1274  Ferchar  (1234) 

(4)  Shaw,  d.  1265  Shaw 

[(8)  Ferchar]  William  Gilchrist 

(2)  Shaw,  d.  1210  Aigcol 

(1)  Shaw,  d.  1179  Ewen 
Macduff,  E.  of  Fife 


(c)  1467  MS. 
Lochlan 

Suibne 

Shaw 

Leod 

Scayth  (1338) 

Ferchard 

Gilchrist 

Malcolm 

Donald  Camgilla 

Mureach 

Suibne 

Tead  (Shaw) 

Nachtain 

Gillicattan 


Neill 
(Gillicattan  ?) 

Of  the  two  lists  of  1467  that  marked  b  is  supposed  by  Mr  Skene 
and  Mr  Macbain  to  represent  the  actual  and  true  line  of  the 
Mackintosh  Chiefs,  while  that  marked  c  is  thought  by  Mr  Skene 
to  represent  some  "  older  Mackintoshes,"  whom  he  identifies 
as  "  beyond  doubt  the  Shaws  of  Rothiemurcus  and  the  Farquhar- 
sons  of  Strathdee  .  .  .  whose  head  in  1464  was  Alexander 
Keir  Mackintosh "  !  In  his  previous  work,  as  Mr  Macbain 
properly  points  out,  Mr  Skene  had  assigned  the  honours  of  this 
older  line,  as  being  a  matter  "  beyond  all  doubt,"  to  the  Macpher- 
sons,  but  now,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  and  without  a  word 
of  apology,  he  leaves  the  Macphersons  out  in  the  cold.1 

Our  concern  here,  however,  is  with  line  b,  which  Mr  Macbain 
regards  as  affording  proof  of  the  incorrectness  of  the  Mackintosh 
genealogy  contained  in  the  family  histories.  In  this  list  the 
representatives  of  the  direct  line  of  the  Mackintoshes,  at  the  date 
of  the  MS.  (1467),  are  given  as  William  and  Donald,  sons  of 
William,  son  of  Ferchar  This  Ferchar  is  obviously  identical  with 
the  Ferquhar  given  in  the  family  history  as  the  9th  Chief,  who, 
according  to  that  history,  was  not  acceptable  to  his  clan,  and 
resigned  his  Chiefship  in  favour  of  his  uncle,  Malcolm.  He  may 
or  may  not  have  been  the  Ferquhard  MacToshy  who,  in  1382, 

lrThe  reader  of  "Celtic  Scotland"  and  "The  Highlanders  of  Scotland  " 
cannot  fail  to  observe  the  frequent  occurrence  of  such  expressions  as  "  beyond 
all  doubt,"  "  undoubtedly,"  and  "  must  have  been,"  in  many  matters  which 
obviously  admit  of  very  considerable  doubt.  The  quotations  here  given  afford 
a  good  sample  of  their  value. 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies  217 

had  molested  the  Bishop  of  Aberdeen  and  his  tenants  in  the  lands 
•of  Brass  or  Birse.  These  lands  are  far  distant  even  from  Rothie- 
murcus,  the  nearest  point  of  the  known  Mackintosh  country,  and 
the  name  Ferquhard  was  by  no  means  confined  to  the  Mackintoshes 
at  the  time  ;  that  it  happened  to  belong  to  a  descendant  of  the 
thane  or  toshach  of  Birse,  who  had  been  supplanted  by  the  Bishop 
of  Aberdeen,1  while  at  the  same  time  it  was  also  the  name  of  the 
•son  of  the  Chief  of  Mackintosh,  appears  to  me  to  be  a  mere 
•coincidence.2  The  point,  however,  is  not  of  importance.  A  more 
important  matter  is  the  omission  in  the  Mackintosh  History  of 
any  mention  of  such  a  person  as  William,  son  of  Ferchard,  9th 
Chief,  or  of  his  two  sons,  William  and  Donald,  and  it  seems 
obvious  that  either  that  History  or  the  1467  MS.  is  wrong.  The 
inames  of  the  9th  Chief's  sons  are  given  in  the  History  as  Duncan, 
Malcolm,  and  Ferquhard,  each  of  whom  had  issue.  As  has  been 
.mentioned,  the  earliest  of  the  MSS.  used  by  Lachlan  of  Kinrara 
in  compiling  his  history  was  written  by  Ferquhard,  the  12th 
Chief,  within  forty  years  of  the  date  of  Mr  Skene's  1467  MS.,  and 
•one  would  think  that  he  must  have  known  who  his  own  second 
•cousins  were,  although  it  is  of  course  possible— though  perhaps 
hardly  probable — that  Kinrara  made  a  mistake.  Whether  he  did 
so  or  not  is  hardly  likely  to  be  discovered  now,  but  even  if,  in  the 
middle  of  the  15th  century,  the  representatives  of  the  9th  Chief 
were  really  named  William  and  Donald,  there  is  no  question  that 
at  the  time  the  actual  Chief  of  the  Mackintoshes  was  Malcolm 
Beg,  and,  so  far,  Mr  Macbain  and  the  Mackintosh  History  are  at 
one. 

(3rd).  But  although  Mr  Macbain  admits  the  correctness  of 
the  history  as  to  the  chiefship  of  Malcolm  in  1 450,  he  contends 
that  that  history  must  be  wrong  in  the  matter  of  Malcolm's 
genealogy.  He  says  (Transactions,  p.  164): — 

"Malcolm,  10th  Mackintosh,  who  dies  in  1457,  is  grandson 
through  William  7th  (died  1368)  of  Angus,  who  married  Eva  in 
1291,  the  three  generations  thus  lasting  as  chiefs  from  1274  to 
1457,  some  183  years  !  Malcolm  was  the  son  of  William's  old  age, 
•and  his  brother  [really  /^(/"-brother],  Lachlan  8th,  was  too  old  to 
take  part  in  the  North  Inch  fight  in  1396,  sixty  years  before  his 
younger  brother  died  !  This  beats  the  Fraser  genealogy  brought 

1  Chartulary  of  Aberdeen  i.  360. 

2  Mr  Macbain  says  (Trans,  p.  164),  "  He  is  doubtless  the  same  person,  for 
he  is  given  also  in  the  1467  MS.  genealogy."     I  must  confess  my  inability  to 
follow  Mr  Macbain's  reasoning  here. 


218  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

forward  lately  by  a  claimant  to  the  Lovat  estates.  It  is  thus  clear 
that  there  is  something  wrong  in  the  Mackintosh  genealogy  here." 

This  at  first  sight  seems  a  truly  formidable  indictment,  but  I 
venture  to  think  that  a  little  examination  will  prove  that  there  is 
really  not  much  in  it.  "  The  three  generations  lasted  as  chiefs  for 
183  years  !"  says  Mr  Macbain  ;  and  as  Angus  was  a  child  of  about 
6  years  old  when  he  became  chief  on  his  father's  death  in  1274, 
the  three  lives  extended  over  189  years.  There  is  thus  an  average 
of  61  years  for  the  chiefships,  and  63  years  for  the  lives.  These 
are  no  doubt  good  averages,  although,  so  far  as  the  lives  are  con- 
cerned, not  particularly  extraordinary.  Mr  Macbain  will  probably 
recollect  the  name  of  Field-Marshal  Sir  John  Burgoyne.  Sir  John, 
who  was  on  the  staff  of  the  army  in  1868  and  died  in  1871,  was 
the  son  of  General  John  Burgoyne,  who  was  born  as  long  ago  as  in 
1722,  and  entered  the  army  in  1738,  serving  as  captain  in  the 
13tb  Dragoons  at  Oulloden.  Here  we  have  the  tivo  lives  of  father 
and  son  extending  over  149  years1,  and  their  army  services  over 
130  years — or  an  average  of  74|  years  for  the  lives,  and  65  for  the 
services  !  Looking  at  these  figures,  the  correctness  of  which  can 
easily  be  ascertained,  there  does  not  seem  to  be  much  difficulty  in 
regard  to  the  189  years  for  three  generations  of  Mackintoshes. 

If  we  look  at  the  matter  in  another  way,  I  think  we  can  further 
reduce  the  difficulty,  if  there  is  one,  or  even  remove  it  altogether. 
Thus— 

Angus,  6th  chief,  born  1268,  married  1291. 
William,  his  son,  born  (say)  1300,  died  1368,  aged  68  years. 
W.  married  1st  wife  (say)  1325. 

Son  Lachlan,  born  (say)  1326,  would  in  1396  have 

been  70  years  old. 
W.  married  2nd  wife  (say)  1360,  when  he  was  60  years 

old. 

Son  Malcolm  born  (say)  1361 
Malcolm  at  his  death  in  1457  would  thus  be  96  years  old. 

The  dates  of  William's  marriage  and  of  the  birth  of  his  two  sons 
are  necessary  hypothetical,  but  they  are  probably  near  the  mark, 
and  anyhow  show  the  possibility,  which  Mr  Macbain  seems  to 
doubt,  of  the  covering  of  a  period  of  183  years  by  three  generations 
of  chiefs,  and  of  the  inability,  through  age,  of  Lachlan,  8th  chief> 

1  Supposing  that  General  J.  B.'s  father  had  been  51  years  old  at  his  son's 
birth  in  1722 — as  is  quite  conceivable — the  three  generations  would  have  lived 
through  two  centuries  ! 


Clan  Ghattan  Genealogies. 

"to  take  part  in  the  North  Inch  Fight  in  1396,  sixty  years  before 
his  younger  brother  died."  So  far,  then,  there  seems  to  be  nothing 
impossible,  or  even  improbable,  in  the  recognised  Mackintosh 
genealogy  from  1291  to  1457,  and  the  confusion  alleged  by  Mr 
Macbain  to  be  in  it  has  no  existence. 

(4th).  The  next  point  to  be  considered  relates  to  the  descent 
of  the  Mackintoshes  from  the  old  Earls  of  Fife,  which,  if  the  1 467 
MS.  and  the  Irish  Book  of  Ballymote  are  correct,  evidently  can- 
not be  maintained.  Mr  Macbain  gives  the  Mackintosh  account  of 
the  descent  of  the  early  chiefs,  but  declares  that  it  "  sadly  lacks 
verisimilitude,"  and  suggests  that  those  who  support  it  are  want- 
ing in  intelligence.1  To  my  humble  intelligence  the  verisimilitude 
— or  likeness  to  truth— of  the  account  is  one  of  the  most  con- 
spicuous things  about  it.  A  son  of  one  of  the  greatest  nobles  of 
the  kingdom  accompanies  the  king,  Malcolm  IV.,  in  an  expedition 
against  the  rebellious  tribes  of  Moray  ;  he  distinguishes  himself, 
and  is  rewarded  for  his  services  by  a  grant  of  land,  being  also  made 
custodian  of  the  Castle  of  Inverness.  There  is  surely  nothing 
here  that  looks  unlike  truth  ;  the  fact  that  the  king's  expedition 
actually  took  place  is  undoubted,  and  the  presence  of  a  son  of  the 
Earl  of  Fife  in  the  king's  train,  and  his  being  rewarded  by  some 
of  the  lands  previously  occupied  by  the  rebels,  are  things  which 
one  would  almost  expect  as  a  matter  of  course. 

Then  Mr  Macbain  makes  a  great  point  of  the  use  of  the  word 
"  Thane  "  by  some  writers  on  Mackintosh  history  when  speaking 
of  Macduff  Earl  of  Fife.  He  says  : — "  The  Mackintosh  gene- 
alogies, dating  from  the  17th  century,  represent  the  family  as 
descended  from  Macduft,  Thane  of  Fife,  as  they  and  Fordun  call 
him.  .  .  .  Macduff  was  not  Toiseach  of  Fife.  In  the  Book  of 
Deer  he  is  called  Comes,  the  then  Gaelic  of  which  was  mormaer,  now 
moirear"  The  Mackintosh  genealogies  referred  to  are,  I  presume, 
that  of  Lachlan  of  Kinrara,  and  that  given  at  page  44  of  the  Rev. 
Lachlan  Shaw's  "  History  of  Moray  "  (edition  of  1775).  So  far  as 
the  Kinrara  MS.  is  concerned,  I  assume  that  Mr  Macbain  has 
verified  his  statement  by  reference  to  it ;  I  shall  not  be  able  to  do 
so  before  the  date  for  the  reading  of  this  paper.  But  even  grant- 
ing that  Kinrara  does  use  the  word,  I  do  not  see  that  it  in  any 
way  throws  discredit  on  his  account  of  facts ;  as  well  refuse  to 

1  His  words  (Trans,  p.  162)  are  : — "  With  those  who  support  the  Macduff 
genealogy  no  argument  need  be  held  ;  like  the  humorist  of  a  past  generation, 
one  would,  however,  like  to  examine  their  bumps."  This  seems  a  somewhat 
novel  method  of  conducting  an  argument — in  cold  blood,  at  all  events,  for  I 
believe  it  is  not  unknown  in  Courts  of  Law. 


220  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

accept  Macaulay's  account  of  the  Battle  of  Killiecrankie  because 
he  speaks  of  Viscount  Dundee  as  James  Graham.  I  do  not 
suppose  for  one  moment  that  Lachlan  of  Kinrara  even  knew  the 
difference  between  a  mormaer  and  a  toiseach,  or  that  either  he  or 
John  of  Fordun  or  Holinshed  or  any  other  chronicler  during  the 
Scottish  Middle  Ages  attached  any  other  meaning  to  the  term 
thane  than  that  of  a  person  of  noble  rank. 

But  now  let  us  look  at  the  other  Mackintosh  genealogist,  to 
whom,  I  presume,  Mr  Macbain  refers — that  is,  the  historian  of 
Moray,  who  wrote  a  full  century  after  Lachlan  of  Kinrara.  He  is 
actually  so  ignorant  of  old  Celtic  institutions  that  he  makes  a 
mormhaor  synonvmous  with  a  thane.1  After  a  quotation  from 
Fordun,  he  says  (p.  180) — "Probably  these  Thanes  were  at  first 
the  king's  servants  (so  the  word  signifies)  or  officers  in  provinces 
and  countries,  and  during  pleasure  only,  or  for  life.  But  after- 
wards the  title  and  the  lands  granted  to  them  were  made 
hereditary.  In  the  Highlands  they  were  termed  mormhaor,  i.e.,  a 
great  officer.  They  were  likewise  called  Tosche  (from  Tus,  i.e., 
first),  that  is,  '  Principal  Persons,  Primores.'  " 

If  Shaw  in  the  18th  century  was  under  the  impression  that 
thane,  mormaer,  and  earl  were  convertible  terms,  meaning  one  and 
the  same  kind  of  person,  might  not  Mackintosh  of  Kinrara,  in  the 
17th  century,  have  been  equally  mistaken,  especially  when  he  had 
the  authority  of  the  national  chroniclers  for  the  error  ?  The  fact 
is,  that  writers  of  past  centuries  cannot  fairly  be  gauged 
by  the  standard  of  our  own  day  in  these  matters ;  it  must  be 
remembered  that  when  Kinrara  and  Shaw  wrote  thanages  had 
long  been  extinct,  and  that  those  writers  had  no  possible  means  of 
learning  anything  about  them,  except  from  the  old  chroniclers ; 
while  the  "  Book  of  Deer"  was  still  unknown,  and  no  Innes,  or 
Robertson,  or  Skene  had  yet  arisen  to  explore  and  explain  the 
intricacies  of  old  Celtic  institutions.  When  they  speak  of  a  thane 
of  Fife,  they  mean  an  Earl  of  Fife,  and  any  writer  on  Scots  history 
or  law,  down  to  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  would  have 
attached  the  same  meaning  to  the  term.  Gilbert  Stuart,  in  his 
"  Observations  concerning  the  Public  Law  and  Constitutional 
History  of  Scotland"  (Edin.  1779),  expresses  the  general  view 
when  he  speaks  of  the  thanes  as  preceding  earls  and  barons,  and 
as  being  converted,  though  not  universally,  into  nobles  bearing 
those  modem  titles. 

1  He  speaks  on  \.  44  of  "  the  Macduffs,  Thanes  and  Earls  of  Eife." 


Clan  uhattan  Genealogies-  221 

On  all  this,  I  submit,  it  is  evident  that  if  Kinrara  uses  the 
words  "  thane  of  Fife,''  when  speaking  of  his  remote  ancestor,  he 
means  "  Earl  of  Fife,"  and  his  use  of  the  term,  therefore,  affords 
no  argument  that  his  general  statement  is  incorrect. 

So  much  for  Mr  Macbain  on  this  head.  Mr  Skene  does  not 
argue  from  quite  the  same  premiss,  but  confines  himself  to  the 
name  Mackintosh,  which,  he  says,  can  only  mean  "son  of  the- 
thane,"  and  arguing  upon  this  he  lays  down  in  his  usual  dogmatic 
manner  that  because  the  old  Earls  of  Fife  never  bore  the  title  of 
Thane,  therefore  the  Mackintoshes  cannot  have  sprung  from  them. 
I  make  bold  to  believe — and  I  am  not  singular  in  my  belief — that 
the  name  does  not  mean  only  what  Mr  Skene  says,  and  that  "  tus" 
or  "  toseach"  has  other  meanings  than  the  restricted  and  academic 
one  which  he  assigns  to  it — a  leader  or  principal  person,  for 
example.  In  fact,  Mr  Macbain  says  in  his  paper  ("  Transactions," 
p.  161)  that  "Toiseach  is  the  true  Gaelic  word  for  chief."  But 
let  us  for  a  moment  accept  Mr  Skene's  derivation,  and  admit 
that  "Mackintosh"  can  only  mean  "son  of  the  ihane"- 
that  is,  son  of  one  beneath  the  rank  of  noble,  who  occupied 
lauds  for  the  performance  of  certain  services.  Even  then 
I  cannot  see  that  Mr  Skene  is  justified  in  jumping  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  Mackintoshes  cannot  be  descended  from  the 
Earls  of  Fife.  May  not  some  of  the  early  Mackintoshes  have 
been  "  thanes  "  or  "  toshachs,"  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the 
term?  A  thane,  according  to  Sir  John  Skene,  was  "  ane  free- 
holder holding  of  the  king:,"  and  this  definition  is  accepted  as 
correct  by  Mr  W.  F.  Skene  in  "Celtic  Scotland"  (iii.,  244),. 
According  to  Professor  Cosmo  Innes,  an  authority  of  not  less 
weight  than  Mr  Skene  himself,  "  the  administrator  of  the  Crown, 
lands,  the  collector  of  rents,  the  magistrate  and  head  man  of  a 
little  district,  was  known  among  his  Celtic  neighbours  as  the 
Toshach ;"  taking  "  a  charter  of  the  whole  district  from  the 
sovereign,  he  became,  under  the  Saxon  name  of  Thane,  hereditary 
tenant"  ("Sketches  of  Early  Scotch  History,"  p.  396).  If  the- 
statement  of  the  Kinrara  MS.  that  Shaw,  son  of  the  Earl  of 
Fife,  received  from  Malcolm  IV.,  a  grant  of  lands  in  Moray,  is 
correct,  he  would  have  been  "  ane  freeholder  holding  of  the  king  " 
— that  is,  a  Thane,  and  his  descendants  would  have  been  "  sons  of 
the  Thane,"  according  to  Mr  W.  F.  Skene's  meaning.  The  MS. 
says  also  that  the  grants  to  Shaw  Macduff  were  confirmed  to  his 
son  and  successor,  who  was  made  chamberlain  of  all  the  king's 
revenues  in  these  parts,  and  who  thus  performed  one  of  the  main 
functions  ascribed  to  the  toshach  by  Professor  Innes.  Mr  Macbain 


222  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

tells  us  in  his  paper  that  one  translation  of  **  toiseach  "  is  steward 
or  seneschall,  and  that  ballivus  (bailie)  is  a  title  of  equal  import. 
Chamberlain  of  Revenues  is  precisely  the  same  thing. 

Thus  the  fact  stated  so  positively  by  Mr  Skene,  that  "the 
name  of  Mackintosh  clearly  implies  that  they  were  descended  from 
a  thane,"  even  if  correct,  in  no  way  necessarily  affects  the  question 
of  descent  from  the  Earls  of  Fife,  and  so  Mr  Skene's  argument 
falls  to  the  ground. 

(5th).  The  fifth  and  last  point  which  I  propose  to  consider  has 
still  to  do  with  the  origin  of  the  name  Mackintosh  and  of  the 
family.  We  have  just  seen  that  Mr  Macbain  and  Mr  Skene  reject 
the  account  given  by  the  family  historians ;  we  will  now  see 
what  they  propose  to  substitute  for  it. 

Mr  Macbain  suggests  that  the  name  arose  with  Fercard,  son  of 
Seth  or  Shaw,  who  is  found  recorded  in  1234  as  Seneschal  or 
Steward  (otherwise  "  toiseach ")  of  Banlenoch,  and  whose  name 
appears  in  both  the  recognised  genealogy  and  the  1467  MS.  Mr 
Macbain,  then,  is  willing  to  admit  that,  as  regards  Fercard  and 
Shaw,  the  recognised  genealogy  may  be  correct,  because  it  is 
corroborated  by  other  records ;  but  if  he  believes  or  accepts 
nothing  which  is  not  so  corroborated,  why  does  he  prefer  the 
genealogy  of  1467  to  that  of  the  Kinrara  MS.1?  The  1467 
genealogy  is  entirely  without  corroboration,  except  where  it  agrees 
with  the  recognised  genealogy.  If  Mr  Macbain  had  consulted  the 
Kinrara  MS.,  he  would  have  seen  that  both  Ferchar's  father  and 
grandfather  had  performed  the  functions  pertaining  to  a  toiseach. 

Now,  let  us  examine  Mr  Skene's  ideas  on  the  subject ;  and 
here,  I  think,  we  shall  see  what  a  broken  reed  that  gentlemen  is 
to  lean  upon,  how  inaccurate  and  careless  he  is,  with  all  his  dog- 
matism. 1  should  like  to  transcribe  the  two  and  a  half  pages  of 
his  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  in  which  he  treats  of  the  origin  of  the 
Mackintoshes,  and  deal  with  his  utterances  line  by  line  ;  but  time 
vill  not  admit  of  this.  He  seems  to  attach  some  credit  to  the 
Knock  MS.,  a  fragment  of  a  history  of  the  Macdonalds,  written  in 
the  time  of  Charles  II.,  and  printed  in  Collectanea  de  Rebus 
Albanacis,  under  Mr  Skene's  editorship.  This  MS.  is  well  known 
to  students  of  Highland  history  as  a  monument  of  inaccuracy,  but 
it  suits  Mr  Skene's  purpose  to  quote  from  it.  Here  is  an  extract 
from  page  357,  vol.  3,  of  "  Celtic  Scotland  " — "  In  the  MS. 
histories  of  the  Mackintoshes,  the  whole  race,  including  the  old 
Mackintoshes,  is  brought  from  the  thane  of  Fife,  but  there  is 
another  form  of  it  [?  of  what]  which  attaches  the  legend  to  the 
later  family,  the  descendent  of  Malcolm  Mackintosh,  who,  by  the 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  223 

influence  of  the  Lord  of  the  Isles,  after  the  secession  of  the  old 
•Clan  Chattan  in  1429,  acquired  the  position  of  Captain  of  the 
Olan,  for  we  are  told  in  the  Knock  MS.  that  Angus  of  the  Isles 
had,  by  the  daughter  of  John  Gruamach  Mackay,  '  the  mother  of 
the  first  laird  of  Mackintosh,  for  a  son  of  Macduff,  thane  of 
Fife,  coming  after  manslaughter  to  shelter  himself  in  Macdonald's 
house,  got  her  daughter  with  child,  went  to  Ireland  with  Edward 
Bruce,  where  he  was  killed  ;  by  which  means  Mackintosh  is  of 
natural  (illegitimate)  descent,  his  progenitor  having  been  got  in 
that  manner.  Mackintosh  in  the  ancient  language  signifies  a 
thane's  son.  The  boy  was  brought  up  by  Macdonald,  who,  in 
process  of  time,  procured  a  competent  estate  for  him  in  the  Braes 
of  Lochaber  and  Braes  of  Moray.'  This  (says  Mr  Skene)  was  Callum 
Beg  or  Malcolm  Mackintosh,  whose  son  Duncan  was  the  first 
captain  of  Clan  Chattan." 

Mr  Skene's  first  mistake  is  in  referring  to  this  MS.  at  all,  and 
especially  in  treating  or  suggesting  it  as  an  authority.  He  next 
speaks  of  Malcolm  as  acquiring  the  position  of  captain  of  the  clan, 
and  a  few  lines  afterwards  states  that  Malcolm's  son  Duncan  was 
the  first  captain.  By  a  third  mistake,  he  makes  Malcolm  reach 
the  extraordinary  age  of  138  years,  thus: — Edward  Bruce  was 
killed  in  Ireland  in  1318,  so  that  if  the  father  of  Callum  or 
Malco*lm  Beg  went  with  him  to  Ireland  and  was  killed  there,  the 
said  Callum  could  not  have  been  born  later  than  1319,  and  as 
he  did  not  die  until  1457,  it  follows  that  he  reached  the  mature 
age  of  138  years  (!),  and  that  his  single  life  was  only  45  years 
short  of  the  period  which  Mr  Macbain  seems  to  think  too  long  for 
three  previous  generations. 

Just  one  more  quotation  from  Mr  Skene's  account  of  the  Mac- 
kintoshes in  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  and  I  have  done  with  the  subject. 
In  the  quotation  just  given,  we  find  mention  of  two  sets  of 
Mackintoshes — one,  the  "later  family,"  represented  by  Malcolm 
Beg  and  his  descendants,  whose  existence  Mr  Skene  does  not  call 
in  question ;  the  other,  "  the  old  Mackintoshes,"  represented  by 
the  string  of  names  from  the  1467  MS.  in  list  b,  given  some  pages 
back.  In  the  following  quotation  we  have  a  third  set,  whom  Mr 
Skene  calls  "  Older  Mackintoshes  "  (list  c).  At  page  358,  volume 
iii,  of  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  we  read  : — "  The  tradition  of  the  Mackin- 
toshes is  that  Rothiemurchus  was  their  earliest  possession,  and 
when  Alexander  Mackintosh  obtains  a  feudal  right  to  the  lands  in 
1464  he  is  termed  Thane  of  Rothymurchug.  It  seems  probable  that 
the  name  [Mackintosh]  was  derived  from  the  Thanes  of  Brass,  who 
may  also  have  been  Thanes  of  Rothiemurchus,  and  from  whom  the 


224  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'Old  Mackintoshes'  were  descended.  In  their  genealogy  the  name- 
of  Gilliinichael,  or  the  servant  of  St  Michael,  appears  in  the  place 
of  the  spurious  Angus,  the  suppositions  husband  of  Eva,  and  St 
Machael  was  the  patron  saint  of  the  parish  of  Birse.  As  possessors 
of  Rothiemurchus  they  are  brought  into  immediate  contact  with, 
that  branch  of  the  old  Clan  Chattan  whose  principal  seat  was  Dal- 
navert,  and  no  doubt  were,  as  indicated  in  the  older  genealogies, 
a  branch  of  that  clan.  The  representatives  of  these  older  Mackin- 
toshes were,  beyond  doubt,  the  Shaws  of  Rothiemurchus  and  the 
Farquharsons  of  Strathdee,  &c."  The  tradition  mentioned  in  the 
leading  sentence  of  this  question  is  new  to  me,  and  is  certainly  not 
held  by  the  Mackintoshes  as  stated ;  the  Kinrara  MS.  states  that 
Rothiemurchus  was  first  held  by  the  Mackintoshes  in  1236,  when 
the  4th  chief  took  a  lease  from  the  Bishop  of  Moray.  Alexander 
Mackintosh  of  Rothiemurchus  is  not  termed  thane  in  the  feu 
charter  from  the  Bishop  of  Moray,  dated  4th  Sept.,  1464  ;  only 
once,  in  1472,  is  he  so  styled,  and  the  title  is  then  used  apparently 
without  any  reference  to  the  special  functions  of  a  thane  or  toseach, 
as  denned  by  experts  :  indeed,  nothing  is  known  of  any  thanage  of 
Rothiemurchus.  Next,  I  would  call  attention  to  the  guessing  in 
the  first  two  divisions  of  the  second  sentence,  and  to  the  dogmatic 
assertion  which  follows  in  the  third  division,  as  indicated  by  my 
italics.  In  the  third  and  fourth  sentences  the  their  and  they  refer 
presumably  to  the  "  old  Mackintoshes,"  just  before  mentioned, 
and  these  "old  Mackintoshes,"  as  possessors  of  Rothimurchus, 
meet  some  "older  Mackintoshes,"  who,  "beyond  doubt,'' 
were  represented  by  the  Shaws  and  Farquharsons,  and  both  old 
and  older  Mackintoshes  were,  "  no  doubt,"  branches  of  the  Clan 
Chattan.  Mr  Skene  does  not  state  the  grounds  on  which  he  makes 
one  set  of  these  Mackintoshes  older  than  the  other,  and  all  he  has 
to  go  upon  for  his  assertion  that  a  branch  of  old  Clan  Chattan  had 
its  principal  seat  at  Dalnavert  is  that,  in  a  charter  of  the  lands  of 
Dalnavert  and  Kinrara,  given  in  1338  by  Alexander,  Earl  of  Ross, 
to  Malmoran  of  Glencharney,1  mention  is  made  of  the  house  of 
Scayth,  son  of  Fcrcard,  as  having  stood  in  a  certain  spot — "  in  qua 
situm  fait  manerium  quondam  Scayih  ftlii  Fercardi"  How  this 
Scayth,  son  of  Fercard,  can  be  identified  with  certainty  as  the 
owner  of  the  name  of  the  1467  MS.,  and  how  the  fact  of  his  having 
at  some  time  antecedent  to  1338  had  a  residence  at  Dalnivert, 
proves  that  that  place  was  the  principal  seat  of  a  branch  of  older 
Mackintoshes,  I  fail  to  see  ;  it  is  pure  guesswork  at  the  best,  and 

1  "  Spakling  Club  Miscellany,"  vol.  iv.,  Gordon  Papers. 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  225 

quite  as  much  probability  can  be  adduced  for  the  identifying  of 
this  same  Scayth  with  a  younger  son  of  one  of  the  chiefs  in  the 
recognised  Mackintosh  genealogy. 

I  have  now  done — so  far  at  all  events  as  this  paper  is  con- 
cerned— w.th  Mr  Skene's  guesses  and  contradictions,  his  "  must 
have  beens"  and  his  "  undoubtedly s,"  his  old  and  older  Mackin- 
toshes. I  do  not  for  a  moment  question  his  good  faith  ;  I  am 
willing  to  believe  that  he  has  set  down  what  he  honestly  takes  to 
-be  the  true  and  most  likely  explanation  of  matters  which  seemed 
to  him  obscure.  But  I  do  question  whether  he  has  ever  gone 
closely  into  the  history  of  the  Mackintoshes,  as  detailed  by  the 
family  chronicler  in  the  17th  century,  or  has  even  had  the  desire 
to  do  so.  He  discovered  the  MS.  of  1467  when  a  young  man,  and 
seems  to  have  set  that  up  as  his  standard  and  infallible  guide. 
His  idea  seems  to  be  that  it  must  be  right,  because  it  agrees  with, 
or  was  taken  from,  cei  tain  Irish  MSS.,  and  the  Irish  pedigrees  are 
the  oldest  in  existence,  while  the  Irish  sennachies  surpassed  those 
•of  Scotland  in  information  arid  acquirements  (Celt.  Scot.  iii.  337-8). 
Every  Highland  pedigree  which  does  not  fit  his  standard  must, 
therefore,  be  wrong,  and  undeserving  of  consideration,  and  he  will 
have  nothing  to  do  with  it — "  unceremoniously  brushing  it  aside," 
as  Mr  Macbain  expresses  it.  When  a  writer  of  Mr  Skene's  position 
and  reputation  takes  up  such  a  line  as  this,  and  writes  as  if  he 
had  studied  every  original  manuscript  bearing  on  the  question,  it 
is  little  short  of  certain  that  nearly  all  his  readers  will  accept  what, 
he  says  or  thinks  as  the  last  word  in  the  controversy,  and  it  seems 
but  a  forlorn  hope  for  a  humble  individual  like  myself  to  attempt 
to  show  that  he  is  liable  to  error,  or  that  our  ancestors  of  two  and 
three  centuries  ago  were  not  always  necessarily  liars  or  dupes,  as 
regards  their  family  history,  merely  because  he  implies  that  they 
were.  I  venture  to  hope,  however,  that  the  few  remarks  which  I 
have  made  may  be  sufficient  to  lead  the  members  of  this  Society 
to  pause  before  they  unreservedly  pin  their  faith  to  Mr  Skene  in 
matters  of  Highland  genealogy,  and,  whether  the  recognised  clan 
pedigrees  are  correct  or  not,  to  examine  whether  any  sufficient 
ground  is  shown  for  believing  the  pedigrees  in  the  1467  MS.  and 
its  Irish  originals  to  be  one  whit  more  trustworthy. 

Time  will  not  admit  of  my  dealing  with  the  several  minor 
points  affecting  the  Mackintosh  genealogy  in  Mr  Macbain's  paper, 
•or  with  his  views  regarding  the  clans  concerned  in  the  Battle  of 
Thirties  at  Perth  in  1396.  My  own  views  on  the  latter  subject 
have  already  been  made  known,  and  Mr  Macbain's  remarks  on  the 
jmonetics  of  the  names  used  by  the  old  chroniclers  convey  to  my 

15 


226  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

inind  no  justification  or  incitement  for  changing  them.  But  there 
are  two  matters  pertaining  to  the  subject  on  which  I  would  like  to 
say  a  few  words  before  I  close.  First,  Mr  Skene,  at  page  314  of 
volume  iii.  of  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  published  at  the  end  of  1880, 
comes  round  to  the  view,  which  I  endeavoured  to  support  some 
years  previously,1  that  the  clans  engaged  were  the  Clans  Cha-ttan 
and  Cameron,  after  having  maintained  in  his  "Highlanders  of 
Scotland "  that  they  were  the  Mackintoshes  and  Macphersons. 
Second,  in  my  various  writings  011  the  clan  battle,  the  last  of 
which  was  contained  in  my  "Historical  Memoirs  of  the  Mac- 
kintoshes and  Clan  Chattan,"  printed  in  1880,  I  had  founded  an 
argument — or,  to  be  strictly  accurate,  a  suggestion — in  favour  of 
the  view  that  the  Camerons  were  the  Clan  Hay  or  Kay  of 
Wyntoun  and  Bo  war  on  the  synonymy  of  Ay  and  Angus,  referring 
specially  to  one  of  my  own  ancestors^  Ay  Macbean  (Shaw)  of 
Tordarroch,  who,  in  the  band  of  union  among  Clan  Chattan  in 
1609,  signs  "for  himself  and  taking  the  full  burden  upon  him  of 
his  race  of  Clan  Ay,"  and  whom  I  then  believed  to  have  been 
mimed  Angus.  Since  1880,  I  have  had  a  large  number  of  extracts 
made  from  documents  in  the  Register  House  at  Edinburgh  relat- 
ing to  the  Clan  Chattan  families  in  Strathnairn,  and  from  these  I 
soon  discovered  that  I  had  been  wrong  in  supposing  Ay  to  be 
equivalent  to  Angus,  and  that  I  have  a  collateral  ancestor  of 
whose  existence  I  had  previously  been  ignorant.  I  ascertained 
beyond  doubt  that  Ay  equals  Adam,  and  that  Adam,  and  not 
Angus,  Macbean  of  Tordarroch  signed  the  bond  of  1609.  This  is 
clear  from  a  charter  dated  at  Inverness,  9th  December,  1607, 
which  Adam  gives  of  a  life  rent  out  of  the  lands  of  Tordarroch  to- 
his  future  spouse,  Agnes,  daughter  of  Alex.  Fraser  of  Farraline. 
[n  this  charter  Adam  is  described  as  Adam  M'Bean  M 'Robert 
M'Ay  of  Tordarroch,  and  that  the  name  of  Adam's  great-grand- 
father, who  is  here  called  Ay,  was  Adam  is  known  from  other 
soiirces.  Again,  in  a  charter  by  Sir  Lachlan  Mackintosh  of  Tor- 
castle,  dated  at  Inverness,  12th  March,  1621,  Adam's  daughter  is 
styled  "  Margaret  nein  Ay  Vc  Beane,  lawful  daughter  and  heir  of 
the  late  Adam  M'Bean  of  Tordarroch."  The  same  Ay  or  Adam 
appears  in  other  documents.  He  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
genealogy  of  the  Shaws  of  Tordarroch  which  has  come  down  to 
me,  probably  for  the  reason  that  he  left  no  son,  and  was  succeeded 

1  In  "  Notes  and  Queries  "  (1869)  ;  in  "  A  Genealogical  Account  of  the 
Highland  Families  of  Shaw  "  (1877)  ;  and  in  "  The  Clan  Battle  of  Perth," 
printed  in  1874.  Of  the  last  named  print  I  forwarded  an  early  copy  to  Mr 
Skene. 


Clan  Chattan  Genealogies.  227 

as  head  of  the  family  by  his  brother  Angus,  with  whom  I  had  con- 
founded him.  My  mistake  has  been  a  weight  on  my  mind  for 
several  years,  and  I  am  glad  to  have  this  opportunity  of  making 
public  a  correction  of  it. 

DISCUSSION — REPLY    BY    MR    MACBAIN. 

First  as  to  the  MSS.  :  Mr  Mackintosh  Shaw  is  unjust  to  the. 
1467  MS.,  and  to  what  he  calls  "  Irish"  MSS.  and  sources.  Surely 
it  is  well  known  that  "  Irish"  here  means  Gaelic ;  and  the  MSS. 
which  he  decries  are,  on  Scotch  points,  of  excellent  Scotch  origin. 
The  "  Irish"  scribes  were  the  common  literary  class  in  Scotland  and 
Ireland.  The  language  and  literature,  historical  and  otherwise, 
were  shared  in  common  till  the  end  of  the  17th  century ;  a  glance 
at  the  work  of  the  M'Vurich  genealogists  and  bards,  ought 
surely  to  keep  Mr  Shaw  right  on  this  point.  The  "Irish" 
genealogies  are  therefore  good  evidence  if  contemporary,  and  for 
at  least  two  centuries  before — as  good  as,  ay,  better  than,  any 
Kinrara  MS.  of  the  17th  century  or  any  MS.  of  its  class.  Those 
17th  century  MSS.  are  a  delusion  and  a  snare  too  often  ;  and  I 
accept  the  Kinrara  MS.  for  the  15th  and  16th  century  only  when 
it  seems  according  to  reason,  or  is  so  far  corroborated  by  con- 
temporary documents.  It  is  useless  to  say  that  it  is  made  up  of 
two  previous  MSS.  ;  I  know  them  and  their  kind  too  well  to  be 
impressed  with  such  statements.  The  1467  MS.  is  surely  con- 
temporary with  1467,  written  by  a  "''Gaelic"  seanachie,  who  knew 
well  what  he  was  doing.  William  and  Donald,  sens  of  William, 
are  the  contemporary  Mackintosh  chiefs,  according  to  the  writer  ; 
can  Mr  Shaw  get  round  that  ?  He  has  the  neighbouring  Cameron 
chiefs  all  right ;  why  should  he  make  a  mistake  in  the  case  of  the 
Mackintoshes  1  No,  no ;  he  simply  does  not  recognise  Malcolm 
Beg  as  chief  :  that  is  all. 

Sesond,  as  to  the  genealogies.  Mr  Shaw's  vindication  of  the 
three  generations,  which  cover  nearly  two  hundred  years,  does  not 
impress  me  much  ;  I  never  thought  that  any  genealogist  would 
write  himself  an  ass  by  giving  impossible  dates  ;  only  he  does  the 
next  thing  to  it. 

[  have  to  make  a  correction  at  this  point.  Mr  Fraser- 
Mackintosh  thought  that  he  had  found  Angus,  the  so-called  sixth 
chief's  name,  in  a  1297  list;  and  I  was  struck  by  the  similarity. 
But,  on  further  search,  I  find  that  the  individual  meant — Angus 
Macerchp.r — ^as  the  head  of  the  Argyleshire  Laments  of  the  day. 

I  am  glad  that  Mr  Shaw  recognises  the  impossibility  of  the 
frame  toiseach  applying  to  the  Earl  of  Fife  ;  it  seems  to  me  that  it 


228  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

settles  the  whole  case.  It  is  impossible  that  a  son  of  the  Earl  of 
Fife  should  be  settled  in  Inverness-shire  without  at  least  being  as 
prominent  as  Adam  of  Strathbogie  was  (circ.  1200),  who  was 
really  a  son  of  the  Earl.  Besides,  it  is  a  pernicious  fiction  to  join 
the  Mackintoshes  to  Inverness  Castle ;  they  never  had  anything 
to  do  with  it.  Mr  Barren  has  lately  traced  fully  the  history  of 
the  Castle,  and  no  such  connection  appears.  The  whole  Macduff 
and  Inverness  story  is  a  fable,  and  a  poor  one,  started  in  that 
century  of  fables — the  17th.  It  is  then  we  hear  of  Diarmad 
O'Duinn  as  ancestor  of  the  Campbells,  and  Colin  Fitzgerald 
appears  in  the  veracious  pages  of  the  Earl  of  Cromartie  as  ancestor 
of  the  Mackerizies. 

The  Mackintoshes  are  not  all  descended  from  one  original 
sept.  The  Perthshire  Mackintoshes,  I  know,  are  not  of  the  Clan 
Chattan  stock  ;  they  are  descendants  ^>f  the  local  toiseachs  of 
Monivaird  and  Tiriny.  I  still  adhere  to  my  view  that  the 
Inverness-shire  Mackintoshes  are  descended  from  the  toiseachs  and 
seneschals  of  Badenoch.  In  fact,  after  all  Mr  Shaw's  attack,  I  ain 
still  of  the  same  opinion  as  to  the  15th  century  break  in  the  Clan 
Chattan  genealogies  ;  and,  if  Mr  Shaw  directed  his  energies  and 
undoubted  knowledge  to  the  unravelment  of  this  portion  of  Clan 
-Chattan  history  and  genealogy,  instead  of  pinning  his  faith  to 
Kinrara  and  his  Macduff  cum  Inverness  Castle  absurdities,  he 
would  do  a  real  and  much  needed  service  to  his  clan  and  to  mid- 
Highland  clan  history. 


4th  MAY,  1892. 

At  the  Society's  meeting  on  this  date,  the  following  were 
elected  members,  viz.  : — Miss  A.  E.  Macdougall,  Woodburn  House, 
Morningside,  Edinburgh ;  and  the  Rev.  Edward  Terry,  Methodist 
Manse,  Inverness.  The  Secretary  laid  on  the  table  the  following 
contributions  towards  the  Society's  Library  : — "  Place  Names  in 
Scotland"  (Johnstone),  from  Mr  W.  G.  Brodie,  Edinburgh,  and 
"  Reliquiae  Celtics)"  (Dr  Cameron),  from  the  Editors,  Messrs  Alex. 
Macbain,  M.A.,  and  the  Rev.  John  Kennedy.  Thereafter  the 
Secretary  read  a  paper  contributed  by  Mr  Charles  Ferguson,  Gate- 
house, on  "  The  Chronicles  and  Traditions  of  Strathardle,"  Part  II. 
Mr  Ferguson's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  229 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  EARLY  HISTORY,  LEGENDS  AND 
TRADITIONS  OF  STRATHARDLE  AND  ITS  GLENS. 

PART  II.* 

I  will  begin  the  second  part  of  this  paper  where  I  ended  the 
last — at  the  death  of  King  Malcolm  II.,  in 

1033. — The  year  in  which  Malcolm  II.  died  was  remarkable  for 
its  extraordinary  storms  and  bad  weather,  of  which,  no  doubt, 
Strathardle  got  its  full  share,  as  we  read  in  Peacock's  "  Annals  of 
Perth,"  page  21  : — "  The  year  in  which  King  Malcolm  died  was 
remarkable  for  severe  frosts  and  snows  in  the  middle  of  summer, 
which  destroyed  the  produce  of  the  earth  and  caused  a  distressing 
famine." 

Old  George  Buchanan,  in  his  own  quaint  way,  says : — "  The 
year  in  which  he  died  was  a  prodigious  one,  for  in  the  winter  the 
rivers  did  mightily  overflow  ;  and  in  spring-time  there  were  great 
inundations  of  the  sea.  And  moreover  a  few  days  after  the 
summer  solstice,  there  were  very  pinching  frosts  and  mighty 
snows,  by  which  means  the  fruits  of  the  earth  being  destroyed,  a 
great  famine  did  ensue." 

Tradition  says  that  the  great  chain  of  lochs  that  undoubtedly 
existed  in  Strathardle  burst  their  bounds  during  a  great  flood, 
caused  by  heavy  rains  melting  a  deep  fall  of  snow  in  summer,  and 
that  all  the  cattle  were  swept  away  down  the  strath,  and  that  a 
great  famine  followed.  I  have  no  doubt  that  tradition  refers  to 
this  time. 

1057. — About  this  time  we  find  the  first  mention  of  an  ancient 
and  honourable  Strathardle  family — the  Rattrays  of  Rattray  and 
Craighall,  who  derived  their  name  from  the  Barony  of  Rattray, 
and  who,  according  to  Nisbet,  flourished  here  in  the  reign  of 
Malcolm  Canmore,  and  whose  descendants  hold  several  estates  in 
the  district  to  this  day. 

1072. — King  Malcolm  Canmore  and  his  good  Queen  Margaret 
founded  the  great  Abbey  of  Dunfermline,  which  afterwards  held 
the  Churches  of  Moulin  and  Strathardle,  with  the  lands  of  Persie 
and  many  others  in  the  district. 

1100. — About  this  time  King  Edgar  changed  the  ancient 
Thaneship  of  Athole  intc  an  earldom,  adding  the  whole  district 
except  Breadalbane,  and  conferring  it  on  his  cousin  Madach,  son 
of  King  Donald  Bane.  One  of  the  Duke  of  Athole's  titles  now  is 
Earl  of  Strathardle. 

*  For  Part  I.  see  Society's  Transactions,  Vol.  17. 


230  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

1114. — In  this  year  King  Alexander  I.  founded  the  Abbey  of 
Scone,  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  foundation  charter  being 
Madach,  Earl  of  Athole,  who  afterwards  was  a  great  benefactor  to 
the  Abbey.  Scone  afterwards,  as  we  shall  see,  held  extensive 
lands  in  Strathardle. 

1127. — King  David  I.  in  this  year  converted  the  ancient 
Guide*;  Monastery  of  Dunkeld  into  a  regular  Bishopric.  It  had 
been  originally  founded  by  St  Columba  as  a  Culdce  Church  about 
.570,  and,  as  already  stated,  raised  by  King  Constantino  McFergus 
to  the  primacy  of  Scotland  in  806.  Dunkeld  possessed  most  of 
the  lands  in  middle  and  lower  Strathardle  till  the  Reformation. 

1153.— At  this  time  we  find  Strathardle  belonged  to  the  King, 
as  it  formed  one  of  the  Royal  Manors  of  Cowrie.  We  read  in 
Skene's  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  Vol.  III.,  p.  133:— "We  find  there 
were  four  Royal  Manors  of  Gowrie,  vi«,  those  of  Scone,  Cubert 
(Cupar),  Foregrund  (Longforgan),  and  Stratherdel."  And  in  the 
"  Chronicle  of  Scone,"  page  6,  we  find  a  charter  by  Malcolm  IV. 
to  the  Canons  of  Scone: — "In  principale  sede  regni  nostra 
fundata,"  in  which  he  conveys  to  them  the  titles  "  de  quatuor 
maneriis  neis  de  Gourin  scilicet  de  Scon,  et  de  Cubert,  et  de 
Fergrund  et  de  Stratherdel." 

Strathardle  was  also  a  Royal  Thanage,  as  we  find  in  Skene's 
"Celtic  Scotland,"  Vol.  III.,  page  275:— "In  the  reign  of 
Malcolm  IV.,  who  confirms  the  foundation  charter  of  Alexander  I. 
to  Scone,  we  find  mention  of  the  four  Royal  Manors  of  Gowrie 
paying  '  can '  to  the  King,  and  these  were  Scone,  Cupar,  Long- 
forgan, and  Strathardle,  and  these  appear  to  have  been  likewise 
Royal  Thanages." 

In  Skene's  "  Notes  to  John  of  Fordon's  Chronicle  of  the  Scot- 
tish Nation,"  page  417,  we  find  in  the  list  of  Thanages  given  there 
those  of  Strathardle,  Alyth,  and  Glentilt.  AVe  also  find  in  the 
"  Chartulary  of  Arbroath,"  page  27,  a  charter  granted  in  the  reign 
of  King  William  the  Lion  by  Laurance  of  Abernethy,  of  the 
Church  of  Abernethy,  to  the  Monks  of  Arbroath,  one  of  the  wit- 
nesses being  Macbeth,  Sheriff  of  Scone  and  Thane  of  Strathardle. 
We  also  find  this  same  Macbeth,  Thane  of  Strathardle,  etc.,  with 
the  additional  title  of  "  Judge  of  Gowrie,"  witnessing  a  charter  of 
King  William  the  Lion  to  Cupar  Abbey  of  the  Marsh  of  Blair- 
gowrie,  which  shall  be  noticed  afterwards  in  1168. 

1164. — In  this  year  Cupar- Angus  Abbey,  another  of  those 
great  religious  houses  which  for  so  long  held  so  much  of  Strath- 
ardle, was  founded.  From  very  early  times  we  find  a  great  deal 
of  the  lands  of  Strathardle  in  the  hands  of  the  Church,  a  fact 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  231 

\vhich  speaks  very  highly  for  the  value  of  that  lovely  glen,  even  at 
this  early  date,  for  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  clergy  have 
always  been  exceedingly  wide  awake  in  the  choice  of  good  and 
fertile  lands  for  their  own  purposes.  All  the  great  religious 
houses  are  built  on  fertile  fields,  and  to  this  day  the  manse  and 
glebe  are  almost  always  found  on  the  fattest  land  in  every  parish. 
For  agricultural  purposes  Strathardle  then,  as  now,  certainly  was 
behind  many  neighbouring  districts,  but  its  grazings  were  very 
good,  most  of  its  hills  and  braes  were  finely  wooded  with  heavy 
timber,  so  very  valuable  for  building  purposes,  that  we  find  special 
foresters  appointed  to  look  after  these  woods ;  its  forests  and  hills 
abounded  with  every  kind  of  game  ;  and  its  rivers  then  swarmed 
with  the  finest  salmon,  as  we  find  the  fishings  of  Drimmie  and 
dally  let  at  a  yearly  rental  of  fourscore  salmon  ;  which  altogether 
made  Strathardle  a  most  desirable  addition  to  the  estates  of  the 
luxurious  ecclesiastics  of  the  middle  ages.  We  have  already  seen 
that  the  great  religious  houses  of  Dunfermline,  Scone,  and 
Dunkeld  held  lands  in  Strathardle,  and  we  now  add  that  of  Cupar, 
which  for  four  centuries  afterwards  held  a  great  deal  of  land  in 
the  Strath,  and  which,  by  encouraging  agriculture  and  other  arts 
of  civilisation,  did  a  great  deal  of  good,  and  helped  to  raise  the 
inhabitants  of  the  district  far  beyond  the  rude  state  of  the  people 
of  the  more  inland  Highland  glens. 

Cupar  Abbey  was  founded  by  King  Malcolm  IV.  on  Sunday, 
12th  July,  and  was  dedicated  to  the  Virgin,  and  planted  with 
monks  of  the  Cistercian  order.  Old  Andrew  of  Wyntoim,  in  his 
"  Orygynale  Cronykil  of  Scotland,"  records  the  founding  of  Cupar 
Abbey,  as  follows  : — 

'•  A  thousand,  a  hundyre,  and  sexty  yhere 

And  fowre  till  thai  till  rekyne  clere, 

Malcolme  Kyng  off  Scotland, 

And  pesybly  in  it  rignand  : 

The  ellevynd  yhere  off  his  crowne 

Mad  the  fundatyowne 

Off  the  Abbay  off  Culpre  in  Angws 

And  dowyt  it  wyth  hys  alwms." 

1165. — Malcolm,  2nd  Earl  of  Athole,  grants  a  charter  to 
Oupar  Abbey  to  cut  large  beams  of  timber  in  his  forests  of  Athole 
and  Strathardle  for  building  purposes.  About  this  year,  King 
William  the  Lion  granted  a  charter,  at  Forfar,  to  Cupar  Abbey  of 
the  Marsh  of  Blairgowrie  ;  one  of  the  witnesses  being  that  famous 
man  of  many  titles,  Macbeth,  Thane  of  Strathardle,  Sheriff  of 


232  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Scone,  Judge  of  Gowrie,  <fec.  The  original  charter  runs  : — "  Carta 
regis  Villielmi  eisdem  monachis  facta  de  toto  maresio  meo  in 
territorio  de  Blare,"  tfcc.,  <fec. 

1178.— At  Edinburgh,  on  Sept  ember  19th,  King  William  the 
Lion  granted  to  the  Abbey  of  Cupar  a  charter  of  the  lands  of 
Cally  and  Persie,  and  that  part  of  the  lands  of  Cally  held  by 
Mackholft'e,  except  that  part  of  Cally  on  the  south  side  of  the 
water  of  Ferdill  opposite  Cluny,  which  the  king  kept  for  his  own 
use.  The  original  charter  begins : — "  Carta  Donationis  regis 
Willielmi  eisdem  monachis  de  terris  de  Parthasin  per  suas  rectas 
dinisas,  et  illam  Kalathin  quain  MackholfFe  tenuit  per  suas  rectas 
divisas  excepta  ilia  parte  terroe  de  Kalathyn  qui  est  ex  australi 
parte  aqua?  de  Ferdil  versus  Cloyn  qui  ad  opus  meum  reseruani,"' 
&c. 

1180. — At  Forfar,  King  William  grants  to  Cupar  Abbey  a 
charter  for  two  ploughgates  of  land  in  the  district  of  Rethrife  or 
Rattray. 

In  this  year  also  Malcolm,  Earl  of  Athole,  grants  a  charter  of 
the  Church  of  Moulin  to  the  Abbey  of  Dunfermline.  The  original 
is  given  in  "Regist.  de  Dunfermline,"  page  85,  and  is  titled 
"  Malcolmus  Comes  Atholie  :  De  Ecclia  de  Molin,"  &c. 

In  Henderson's  "  Annals  of  Dunfermline,"  page  62,  I  also  find 
under  this  date — "  The  Church  of  Strathardolf."  In  an  undated 
charter  of  about  this  date  King  William  gives  to  the  Abbey  of 
Dunfermline  the  Church  of  Stathardolf  or  Strathardol,  in  the 
north-east  part  of  Perthshire,  "  as  a  perpetual  free  gift,  to  be  held 
in  quiet  and  honourable  possession,"  ike.  (Regist.  de  Dimfennlme,. 
page  39). 

1232.— In  this  year  I  find  from  the  "  Chartulary  of  Moray," 
page  87,  that  Gillemychel  M'Ath,  or  M'Ade,  Gillemichael  the  son 
of  Adam,  of  the  old  Fergussons  of  Balmacrochie,  excambs  a  davoch 
of  the  lands  of  Pitcarmick,  in  Strathardle,  with  the  Bishop  of 
Moray  for  the  lands  of  Dolays  Michael  in  Strathspey.  This  Gille- 
Michael,  or  servant  of  St  Michael,  very  likely  took  his  name  from 
the  patron  saint  of  Kirkmichael ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  his 
son  Cormac  or  Carmac  gave  his  name  to  Pitcarmick,  or  as  it  is 
always  called  in  Gaelic,  "  Baile-charmaig,"  the  town  or  dwelling- 
place  of  Carmac.  It  shows  how  ancient  some  of  our  place  names 
are,  when  we  consider  that  though  nearly  seven  centuries  have 
passed  since  Carmac  dwelt  at  Pitcamick,  his  name  still  adheres 
to  the  place  to  this  day.  It  also  shows  how  for  ages  some  of  our 
Highland  clans  stuck  to  certain  favourite  personal  names,  as  the 
Fergussons  have  done  to  Adam  and  Fergus.  Here  we  find  in  the 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  233; 

ancient  family  of  the  Barons  Fergusson  of  Balmacrochie  that  this 
Gillemichael's  father,  about  1200,  was  Adam.  Again,  in  1358, 
Fergus,  the  son  of  Adam  of  Balmacrochie,  and  Robert  de  Atholia, 
ancestor  of  the  Robertsons  of  Struan,  got  into  trouble  with  the 
Sheriff  of  Perth  about  their  lands,  and  we  have  Adams  in  the 
family  down  till  the  last  Adam  Fergusson,  who  sold  the  ancient 
patrimony  of  his  race,  and  went  to  America  about  1 840. 

1235. — At  Traquair,  on  June  1st,  King  Alexander  II.  granted 
charter  to  Cupar  Abbey  of  two  and  u-half  ploughgates  of  land  in  the 
feu  of  Meikle   Blair,  in   exchange  for  the  Common  Muir  of  Blair- 
gowrie. 

1246. — In  November  of  this  year,  King  Alexander  II.  stayed, 
at  Cupar  Abbey,  and  hunted  in  the  forests  of  Strathardle  and 
Cluny. 

1260. — For  some  time  previous  to  this,  the  proud  and  haughty 
Cummings  were  lords  of  Athole,  and  ruled  at  Blair  Castle  with 
terrible  severity,  till  about  this  time  Ewan  Mackintosh  of  Tirigney, 
Thane  of  Glentilt,  in  revenge  for  the  slaughter  of  all  the  rest  of 
his  family,  surprised  the  Cummings  at  a  marriage  festival  near 
Blair  Castle,  and,  after  chasing  them  up  Glentilt,  he  slew  the  Big 
Gumming  at  Leac-na-diollaid  (the  Saddle  Stone),  in  Glenloch,  and 
his  brother  further  on,  at  the  Coi-leum,  in  Glen  Fernate.  Col.. 
Robertson  of  Lude,  in  his  "  Earldom  of  Athole,"  page  80,  says  : — 
"  Tradition  states  that  when  the  Cummings  got  a  footing  in 
Athole  they  commenced  the  then  usual  practice  to  attack  their 
neighbours.  They  attacked  the  Mackintoshes  when  at  a  feast, 
who  were  all  murdered,  except  a  young  child,  in  a  cradle,  named 
Ewan,  who,  in  ten  or  fifteen  years  afterwards,  attacked  the  Cum- 
mings at  a  place  called  Toldamh,  near  Blair- Athole.  He  defeated 
them,  and  the  Cummings  fled  up  Glentilt,  and  turned  in  at  the 
stream  that  comes  out  of  Lochloch  ;  but  this  Ewan  (Sherigan,  as 
he  was  called)  crossed  a  near  way,  through  the  hills  of  Bengioe,  by 
a  stream  called  the  Cromaldan,  and  met  Gumming  at  Leac-an- 
diold,  and  slew  him ;  and  which  last  place  was  so  named,  and 
signifies  that  Gumming  had  there  been  driven  out  of  his  saddle — 
he  was  shot.  The  tradition  as  thus  stated  has  every  appearance 
of  probability ;  and  to  this  day  the  cairn  raised  by  Mackintosh 
where  Gumming  was  killed  remains.  The  situation  of  it  is  a  little 
to  the  north  of  Lochloch.  The  date  of  the  circumstance  is  sup- 
posed to  be  in,  or  soon  after,  1260." 

James  Grant,  in  his  most  interesting  work  "  The  Legends  of 
the  Braes  o'  Mar,"  gives  a  much  fuller  account  of  this  incident : — 
"The  Tirigney  Mackintoshes  held  the  lairdship  of  that  name,  near 


"234  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

Blair-Athole,  while  the  Bio-  Gumming  held  sway.  Wild,  lawless, 
and  deceitful  was  the  race  of  the  Cuinmings.  We  have  still  a 
proverb  to  this  effect — '  Clio  fad  's  a  bhios  craobh  's  a'  choill,  bidh 
foill  aims  a'  Chuimeanach  :'  'As  long  as  there  is  a  tree  in  the 
wood,  the  dimming  will  be  treacherous.'  As  one  example  of  the 
unprincipled  conduct  which  gained  for  them  this  reputation,  it  is 
said  that  the  father  of  the  Big  Gumming  put  to  death,  on  the 
Tarflf,  no  less  than  sixteen  lairds  in  one  day,  in  order  to  possess 
himself  of  their  lands.  Coming  down  Glentilt  after  this  praise- 
worthy exploit,  with  a  party  of  followers,  the  pony  on  which  he 
rode  misbehaved  ;  '  and  well  you  may,'  cried  the  Big  Gumming, 
in  great  glee,  '  with  sixteen  barons  on  your  back.'  The  words 
were  scarcely  uttered,  when  an  eagle,  fluttering  for  a  moment 
overhead,  swooped  down  and  struck  the  pony  with  its  wings.  The 
terrifjed  animal  made  a  bound  forward;  a  cleft  rock,  which  it 
grazed  past,  caught  one  of  Cumming's  feet,  and  he  was  torn 
asunder.  The  pom-  never  stopped  till  at  Blair  Castle  gate,  drag- 
ging along  with  it  one  part  of  its  master's  corpse.  The  remainder 
stuck  fast  in  the  cleft  rock,  and  the  spot  is  still  known  as  Ruidhe- 
na-leth-choise  :  The  sheiling,  or  place  of  the  one  foot.  The  son 
of  this  worthy  had  married  a  lady  of  peculiar  aldermanic  taste. 
A  '  choppin '  of  beef  marrow  must  needs  be  served  every  day  for 
her  dinner.  Gumming  the  Big's  stores  of  good  red  gold  were  in  a 
fair  way  of  being  exhausted,  and  it  was  therefore  with  great  joy 
that  the  advent  of  Christmas  was  hailed.  Then  the  lady  or  lord 
superior  went  the  rounds  of  the  retainers  begging  their  '  Christ- 
mas.' Mackintosh  of  Tirigney,  knowing  the  tastes  of  Lady 
Gumming,  presented  her  on  this  occasion  with  a  bull  and  twelve 
cows.  Tirigney  must  be  the  place  for  rearing  cattle,  thought  the 
lord  of  Blair  Castle,  and  would  be  a  prize  worth  the  mint,  under 
present  circumstances.  When  might  was  right,  nothing  was  easier 
than  to  acquire  the  lands  of  Tirigney.  dimming  the  Big,  with  a 
body  of  retainers,  surprised  the  mansion  in  the  night,  and  every 
soul  within  was  put  to  the  sword — nay,  not  every  soul  :  the  cradle 
containing  a  young  boy  was  upset  in  the  scuffle,  and  he  alone 
escaped.  Thus  the  lands  of  Tirigney  were  added  to  the  estate  of 
Blair.  Among  the  murdered  Mackintosh's  tenants  was  a  certain 
*  Croit-a-bhoineide'  (he  of  the  Croft  of  the  Bonnet),  so  called 
because  for  his  croft  he  gave  the  laird  the  yearly  rent  of  a  new 
bonnet,  getting  back  at  the  time  the  old  one  for  himself.  He, 
good  soul,  coming  with  his  yearly  rent  early  next  morning  to  the 
mansion,  was  horror-struck  at  the  butchery.  One  consolation  he 
found  in  the  surviving  child,  weeping  under  the  cradle.  With  the 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  235 

greatest  secrecy,  he  had  it  conveyed  to  its  mother's  relatives, 
Campbells  in  Argyle.  There  the  child  was  brought  up  and  well 
•educated,  visited  by  Croit-a-bhoineide,  who  passed  for  its  father, 
•every  Christmastide.  Among  his  numerous  virtues,  as  he  grew 
up,  was  that  of  being  a  famous  archer,  and,  when  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  the  worthy  crofter  saw  him  fill  the  bull's  eye  with 
arrows,  'Bravo!  Tirigney,'  cried  he,  no  longer  able  to  contain 
himself  ;  '  broader  far  than  the  round  on  that  target  the  brow  of 
the  murderer  of  your  father.'  '  The  murderer  of  my  father  !'  said 
the  astonished  youth  ;  'are  you  not  then  my  father1?'  " 

"Half  willing,  half  unwilling,  Croit-a-bhoineide  related  his  sad 
tale.  Their  plans  were  soon  matured.  With  a  band  of  chosen 
men,  the  young  Tirigney  and  his  trusty  saviour  stole  privily  into 
the  Braes  of  Athole.  The  men  were  concealed  in  his  father's  old 
•barn,  while  he  with  Croit-a-bhoineide  applied  for  shelter  at  the 
.house  of  his  father's  foster-nurse.  At  first  she  refused  admittance, 
but  on  the  reiterated  assurance  that  the  son  of  her  foster-child 
stood  at  the  door — '  Let  him  then  breathe  through  the  key-hole,' 
said  she  ;  '  for  I  would  know  the  breath  of  a  Mackintosh.'  The 
youth  did  as  requested.  '  Yes,  yes  ! '  cried  the  gladdened  old 
woman,  as  undoing  the  bolt  she  admitted  them  ;  '  a  true  Mackin- 
tosh— my  foster-child's  son  indeed.'  The  nurse  and  Croit-a- 
bhoineide  shortly  after  went  out  separately  to  reconnoitre.  The 
latter,  on  his  way  to  Blair  Castle,  met  near  by  an  old  woman,  who 
inquired,  '  What  armed  band  of  men  was  that  I  saw  at  the  big 
barn  of  Tirigney  ? '  '  An  armed  band  that  you  will  never  see 
again,'  replied  Croit-a-bhoineide,  as  he  plunged  his  dirk  into  her 
heart.  He  threw  the  body  into  a  ditch  out  of  the  way. 
Remember,  gentlemen,  she  was  only  an  old  woman,  and  Croit-a- 
bhoineide  feared  her  chattering  might  lead  to  discovery,  and  mar 
their  plans.  Some  have  it  that  the  nurse  had  learned  the  Big 
Cumming  was  honouring  by  his  presence  the  marriage  of  one  of 
his  retainers  ;  that  the  Mackintosh  partisans  got  between  him  and 
the  Castle  ;  that  the  alarm  was  given,  and  that  Cumming  rushed 
for  his  stronghold,  but,  finding  himself  intercepted,  directed  his 
flight  up  Glen  tilt.  Others  say  that  an  ambush  was  laid  near  the 
-Castle  ;  that  a  party  of  Mackintoshes  came  forward  to  make  a 
feint  assault,  and  afterwards  fled,  drawing  out  the  Cummings  in 
pursuit ;  that  the  ambush  intercepted  their  retreat ;  and  that 
those  who  escaped  from  the  short  combat  which  ensued,  fled  with 
their  leader  up  Glentilt. 

"  The  streams  that  join  the  Tilt  all  the  way  to  its  source  recall 
'by  their  names  the  places  where  some  of  the  fugitives  fell.  Thus 


•236  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

we  have  Allt-ua-niaraig,  pudding-burn ;  Allt-na-strone,  the  rose- 
burn  ;  Allt  Lurg-na-smearn,  the  burn  of  the  Shin  of  Marrow,  and 
so  forth. 

"  Alone  at  last,  dimming  the  Big  turned  away  by  Lochloch,, 
east  of  'Ben-a-ghloe  nan  Eag.'  But  young  Mackintosh  and 
Croit-a-bhoineide  still  pursued.  They  kept  on  one  side  of  the 
loch,  the  murderer  on  the  other.  As  he  sat  down  to  rest  a 
moment  on  a  large  stone,  raising  his  hand  to  wipe  away  the 
perspiration,  an  arrow  from  the  bow  of  Tirigney  pinned  that  hand 
to  his  brow,  and  the  Big  Gumming  fell  dead.  Carn-a-Chuimaneich,. 
Cumming's  Cairn,  still  marks  the  spot." 

Such  is  the  tradition  in  Athole  and  Braemar,  and  in 
Strathardle  it  is  the  same,  with  the  addition  that  Gumming 
the  Big's  brother  accompanied  him  in  his  flight,  and  stood 
beside  him  when  he  was  shot  at^  Leac-na-diollaid.  When 
the  brother  saw  him  fall,  he  at  once  continued  his  flight 
eastwards  through  Glenloch  and  down  Glen  Fernate,  closely  fol- 
lowed by  the  vengeful  Sheirgan  alone,  as  Croit-a-bhoineide,  being 
now  an  old  man,  was  much  fatigued.  The  chase  continued  down 
Glen  Fernate  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  which  happened  to- 
be  in  full  flood,  Tirigney  gaining  very  fast  on  Gumming.  When 
they  came  to  the  Coileum,  where  the  river  rushes  through  a* 
narrow  chasm  between  two  rocks,  Gumming  saw  his  last  chance, 
and  with  one  desperate  bound  leapt  across  the  foaming  torrent. 
Mackintosh  dared  not  follow,  but  he  drew  his  bow,  and  sent  an 
arrow  across,  which  killed  Gumming  as  he  fled  up  the  brae  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river.  So  fell  the  other  Big  Gumming,  and  he 
was  buried  where  he  fell,  where  his  grave  is  to  be  seen  to  this  day. 

1280. — About  this  time  I  find  a  charter  by  Duncan,  Earl  of  Fife, 
to  Sir  Robert  Lander  of  part  of  the  lands  of  Balmacrochie,  in  Middle 
Strathardle,  an  estate  which,  as  will  be  afterwards  seen  from  the 
different  charters  1  will  give,  was  continually  changing  superiors- 
for  several  centuries,  though  part  of  it  was  always  held  by  the 
Clan  Fergusson,  who  were  also  proprietors  of  Easter  Balmacrochie, 
or  Woodhill  as  it  is  now  called,  for  over  700  years,  till  the  last  laird,. 
Adam  Fergusson,  sold  the  estate  and  went  to  America  early  in, 
this  century.  This  charter  also  includes  the  lands  of  Upper 
Blavalg,  at  the  head  of  Glenderby,  which  were  then  in  the  Barony 
of  Strathord,  just  as  we  find  them  at  the  Rebellion  of  1745,  when 
Lord  Nairne  held  Strathord,  Glenderby,  and  Blavalg.  This 
charter  is  preserved  in  the  Advocates'  Library,. Edinburgh  (No.  57, 
book  of  Original  Charters,  by  Sir  J.  Balfour,  No.  15-1-18),  and  as 
it  is  very  interesting  and  valuable,  showing  as  it  does  how  land 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  237 

•was  held  at  that  early  date  in  Strathardle,  I  will  give  the 
following  translation  of  it,  as  given  in  Col.  Robertson's  Earldom  of 
Athole,  p.  5: — "To  all  who  shall  see  or  hear  this  charter,  Duncan, 
Earl  of  Fife,  wishes  everlasting  salvation  in  the  Lord. — Know  that 
we  have  given,  granted,  and  by  this  our  present  charter  confirmed, 
to  Sir  Robert  Lawedre,  Knight,  for  his  homage  and  service,  all 
our  land  of  Balmacoychely  and  all  our  land  of  Loghibride,  that, 
namely,  which  Lord  Robert,  the  Rector  of  the  Church  there,  held 
from  us  in  farm,  together  with  all  our  land  of  Upper  Blabolg,  in 
our  Barony  of  Strathurd,  within  the  Sheriffship  of  Perth. — To 
have  and  to  hold  by  the  said  Sir  Robert,  his  heirs  and  assignees, 
of  us  and  our  heirs,  hi  fee  and  heritage  for  ever,  by  all  their  right 
ineiths  and  marches,  freely,  quietly,  fully,  peacefully,  and  honour- 
ably, in  huntings  and  fowlings,  ways,  paths,  woods,  haughs,  lakes, 
waters,  warrens,  fish  ponds,  mills,  multures,  moors,  marshes, 
fields,  meadows,  hainings,  pastures,  and  with  all  other  liberties, 
•conveniences,  easements,  and  just  pertinents  named  or  unnamed, 
to  the  said  land  belonging,  or  that  may  belong  in  future. — Per- 
forming thence  to  us  and  our  heirs,  the  said  Sir  Robert,  his  heirs 
.and  assignees,  three  suits  of  Court  yearly,  at  the  three  Capital 
Pleas,  of  our  court  of  Strathurd,  together  with  the  extrinsic 
Scotch  service  to  our  Lord,  the  King  of  Scotland,  from  the  said 
land,  yearly,  duly,  and  customarily. — And  rendering  thence  to  us 
and  to  our  heirs  one  pair  of  gilt  spurs  at  the  feast  of  Christmas 
yearly,  if  demanded,  for  all  other  secular  exaction,  service,  or 
demand,  which  may  be  claimed  by  us  and  our  beirs.  Moreover, 
we,  Duncan  and  our  heirs  aforesaid,  shall  warrant,  secure,  and 
defend  forever  the  whole  land  aforesaid,  with  all  that  pertains  or 
may  pertain  to  it,  to  the  said  Sir  Robert,  his  heirs  and  assignees, 
against  all  men  and  weinen." 

1292. — In  this  year  Sir  Eustace  Rattray  of  Rattray  gave  to 
Cupar  Abbey  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  the  two  Drimmies  : — 
"  Carta  donatiionis  eisdem  monachis,  per  Eustachium  de  Retaife 
dominum  de  eodem  de  toto  uire  quod  habet  in  trritorio  de  Drumys, 
in  tenemento  de  Glenbatlack,"  <fcc.,  &c.  And  his  son.  Sir  Adam 
Rattray,  also  the  same  year  gave  the  Abbey  the  lands  of  Duntay 
in  Glenbathlock.  This  Sir  Adam  Rattray,  at  the  same  time,  was 
compelled,  along  with  most  of  the  other  Scotch  barons,  to  submit 
to  King  Kdward  I.  of  England,  which  he  also  had  to  do  again  in 
1296. 

1297. — In  this  year  Sir  William  Wallace  visited  Cupar  Abbey, 
and  resided  there  for  some  time  after  he  had  defeated  the  English 
at  Perth  ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  reduced  the  Castles  of  Dundee, 


23&  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Forfar,  Brechin,  Montrose,  and  Aberdeen,  in  which  exploits  the 
Strathardle  men  assisted  him. 

1308. — In  Robertson's  "Index  of  Charters,"  about  this  date,  I 
find  a  charter  of  King  Robert  the  Bruce,  of  the  lands  of  Mause  in. 
Lower  Strathardle,  to  John  de  Kinnynmonth,  and  it  is  interesting 
to  notice  that  about  five  centuries  later  the  Laird  of  Kindrogan 
married  the  heiress  of  Kinmonth. 

At  the  same  time  Bruce  gave  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Druni- 
lochy  to  Thomas  de  Camera,  or  Chalmers,  the  ancestor  of  another 
old  Strathardle  family.  Index  of  Charters,  19-95. 

1314. — King  Robert  the  Bruce  gives  a  charter  to  Sir  Neil 
Campbell,  and  Mary,  his  spouse,  sister  to  the  King,  and  John,, 
their  son,  of  all  the  lands  which  were  David,  Earl  of  Athole's. 
This  son  John  wras  afterwards  the  famous  Sir  John  Campbell  of 
Moulin,  who  built  the  old  Black  Castl^of  Moulin. 

In  the  same  year  the  Bruce  gave  a  charter  to  his  nephew, 
young  Neil  Campbell,  of  Kirkmichael,  Dalrulzion,  Dunie,  and 
other  lands  in  Strathardle.  It  is  given  in  Robertson's  Index  of 
Charters,  26-27  : — "  Carta  to  Nigelli  Oge,  the  lands  of  Killmychill, 
Drondrayllen,  Dunnor,  Keyllpoll,  Reythenan,  in  vicecom  Perth." 
The  men  of  Strathardle  were  loyal  and  true  to  the  Bruce,  and 
fought  under  him  at  Bannockburn. 

1317. — in  this  year  King  Robert  the  Bruce  resided  at  Cupar 
Abbey  for  some  time,  and  hunted  in  the  forests  of  Strathardle. 
There  is  an  old  tradition  of  the  Bruce  hunting  on  Pitcarmick  Hill, 
near  the  little  lake  of  Loch-nan-Biorrach,  a  place  of  evil  repute  tx> 
this  day,  and  for  centuries  one  of  the  most  dreaded  spots  in  the 
district  for  travellers  to  pass,  even  in  daylight,  as  it  was  supposed 
to  be  haunted  by  all  sorts  of  spirits,  and  I  well  remember,  when  a 
boy,  how  carefully  I  kept  away  from  its  dark  wraters.  As  the 
story  goes,  Bruce  had  a  favourite  hound,  which,  as  they  were 
hunting  near  Loch-nam-Biorrach,  raised  and  pursued  some  "  droch- 
bheist" — some  evil  or  uncanny  beast — that  haunted  the  loch.  It 
endeavoured  to  reach  the  loch,  but  was  prevented,  and  it  fled  up- 
Corrie-Charaish,  pursued  by  the  hound,  which  gained  on  it  very 
fast.  When  it  reached  the  head  of  the  corrie,  it  sped  up  the  face 
of  Craig  Corrie-Charaish  to  the  famous  cave  near  the  top  of  that 
hill,  into  which  it  disappeared,  followed  by  the  hound,  whose  bay- 
ing and  barking  could  be  heard  for  some  time  after,  getting  feebler 
as  it  descended  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  till  at  last  all  was 
still.  Bruce  and  his  companions  waited  long  for  his  favourite 
hound  to  reappear,  but  in  vain,  as  the  dog  did  not  return,  and 
they  gave  it  over  as  lost.  About  a  week  after  that,  the  hound,. 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  239 

torn,  bleeding,  and  starved,  was  seen  coming  out  of  the  opening 
of  a  small  cave  in  the  rocks  of  Craighall,  about  a  dozen  miles  down 
the  strath.  What  became  of  the  "evil  beast"  is  not  known,  as  it 
was  never  seen  again,  but  the  poor  dog  must  have  had  a  long  and 
weary  experience  of  the  lower  regions  before  it  once  more  appeared 
above  ground  at  Craighall.  To  this  day  there  is  believed  to  be  an 
underground  passage  between  Craig  Corrie-Charaish  cave  and 
Craighall  rocks  ;  and  I  have  known  old  keepers  who  so  firmly 
believed  this,  that,  when  fox-hunting,  they  would  not  allow  their 
terriers  to  go  near  that  cave,  for  fear  of  their  landing  at  Craighall. 
The  entrance  to  this  cave  is  low  and  narrow,  and  at  some  distance 
from  its  mouth  a  great,  dark,  yawning  chasm  sinks  down  into  the 
very  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  when  a  stone  is  thrown  in,  it  is 
heard  rumbling  and  knocking  down  against  the  rocky  sides  till 
the  sound  is  lost  in  the  far  distance.  The  mouth  of  this  famous 
cave  was  filled  up  with  large  stones  some  years  ago,  by  Mr  M'Nab, 
the  then  tenant  of  Pitcarmick,  as  his  sheep  were  in  the  habit 
of  going  in  and  getting  lost.  If  all  old  tales  be  true,  perhaps  he 
might  have  found  these  lost  sheep  amongst  the  rocks  of  Craighall, 
had  he  looked  there  for  them.  I  hope  some  day  the  depths  of 
this  famous  cave  may  be  explored.  There  is  another  famous  cave 
a  little  further  south,  at  Craig-na-h-Uaimhaigh  (Rock  of  the  Cave), 
in  Dunkeld  wood,  the  other  end  of  which  is  said  to  be  near  Loch 
Ordie.  Several  of  Prince  Charlie's  Strathardle  followers  took 
refuge  there  in  the  troublous  times  after  Culloden,  and  lived  there 
in  safety  till  better  times.  No  doubt  the  most  blood-thirsty  of 
Cumberland's  butchers  would  think  twice  before  he  attempted  to 
follow'  them  underground  as  far  as  Loch  Ordie. 

1320. — About  this  time  we  find  the  Rattrays  of  Rattray  very 
powerful  barons  in  lower  Strathardle,  and  taking  a  leading  part  in 
the  affairs  of  the  kingdom.  Dr  Marshall,  in  his  "  Historic  Scenes 
in  Perthshire,"  says  : — "  Alexander  Rattray  was  one  of  the  barons 
of  the  Parliament  held  at  Ayr  in  1315,  which  settled  the  succession 
to  the  Scottish  Crown.  His  brother  Eustatiue,  who  succeeded 
him,  was,  in  the  Parliament  held  at  Perth  in  1320,  charged  with 
being  an  accomplice  in  the  conspiracy  of  Sir  William  Soulis  and 
Sir  David  Brechin  against  Robert  the  Bruce,  but  on  investigation 
the  charge  was  found  false,  and  he  received  an  honourable 
acquittal." 

David,  Earl  of  Athole,  at  Scone,  confirms  the  lands  of  Moulin, 
etc.,  to  the  Abbey  of  Dunfermline,  and  as  the  old  names  are 
interesting,  I  may  give  them,  as  in  "  Index  of  Charters,"  28-7  : — 
"  Appunctnamentum  parliumenti  tenti  apud  Sconam,  1323,  inter 


240  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Davidem  de  Hastyngs  et  Abbatem  et  Conventum  de  Dumferline, 
super  terris  de  Molyn,  Petdunedy,  Petmalduc,  Balcolme  Pet 
M'Duffgyll,"  Ac. 

1333. — This  was  a  great  year  in  the  annals  of  Strathardle. 
John  Munro,  tutar  of  Foulis,  and  a  party  of  the  Clan  Munro,  were 
returning  to  Ross-shire  from  Edinburgh,  and  travelled  north 
through  Strathardle,  and  up  Glen  Fernate.  Night  coming  on 
they  encamped  on  a  little  haugli  on  the  north  side  of  the  Fernate 
above  Craiglosgte,  but  they  neglected  to  ask  the  usual  permission 
from  the  proprietor  to  encamp  on  his  lands.  This  neglect  the 
men  of  Glen  Fernate  took  as  an  insult,  and  in  revenge  they,  during 
•the  night,  cut  the  tails  off  all  Munro's  horses,  in  memory  of  which 
that  haugh  is  still  called  "  Dal-nan-earball  "—Field  of  Tails,  to 
this  day.  Munro  determined  on  revenge,  and  hastening  home  to 
Ross,  gathered  350  of  the  best  men  of  fiis  clan,  returned  to  Strath- 
ardle, devastated  the  country,  killed  many  of  the  people,  and  carried 
off  all  their  cattle.  So  savage  was  this  raid  carried  out,  and 
so  disastrous  the  consequences,  that  it  gave  rise  to  a  very  bitter 
•hatred  in  Strathardle  against  the  north  country  clans,  which  was 
the  origin  of  the  common  Strathardle  proverb  : — "Cha  thainig  ni 
math  riamh  a  tuath,  ach  a  ghaoth  i'huair  s'  t'-fhoghair" — "  Nothing 
good  ever  came  out  of  the  north,  but  the  cold  wind  in  harvest."  A 
noted  Strathardle  worthy,  who  died  about  half  a  century  ago,  and 
whose  wife  was  from  Ross,  used  to  relieve  his  pent  up  feelings,  on 
the  occasion  of  domestic  squabbles,  by  quoting  this  old  proverb  for 
her  edification. 

Munro  got  the  Strathardle  cattle,  but  he  had  to  fight  again  for 
them  before  he  got  them  home  to  Foulis ;  for,  when  passing  Moy, 
the  Chief  of  Mackintosh  demanded  part  of  the  spoil.  This  was 
customary  amongst  the  clans  when  a  party  drove  a  "Creach"  of 
lifted  cattle  through  another  Chief's  property,  and  was  called  a 
"  Staoig  Rathaid  "  or  "  Staoig  Creich  "—a  Road  Collop.  Munro 
ottered  a  fair  share,  but  Mackintosh  demanded  half  the  spoil,  and 
as  he  did  not  get  it,  gathered  his  clan  in  hot  haste  and  pursued  to 
take  the  whole  by  force,  an  exploit  which  ended  in  the  great  clan 
battle  of  Clachnaharry. 

As  Sir  Robert  Gordon,  in  his  "History  of  the  Earldom  of 
Sutherland,"  page  46,  gives  a  very  good  account  of  this  affair,  I 
may  give  it  here  : — "  John  Munro,  tutar  of  Foulis,  travelling 
homewards  on  his  journey  from  the  south  of  Scotland  towards 
Rosse,  did  repose  himself  by  the  way  in  Strath erdale,  between 
Sanct  Johnstoun  (Perth)  and  Athole,  where  he  fell  at  varience 
with  the  inhabitants  of  that  country,  who  had  abused  him,  which 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  241 

he  determined  to  revenge.  Being  returned  home  to  Rosse,  he 
gathered  together  his  whole  kinsmen  and  followers  and  declared 
into  them  as  he  had  been  used,  craving .  with  all  their  aid  in 
revenging  himself  of  that  injurie.  Unto  the  which  motion  they 
barkened  willinglie,  and  yeelded  to  assist  him  to  the  whole  of 
their  abilities.  Wereupon  he  singled  out  thrie  hundered  and 
fyftie  of  the  best  and  ablest  men  amongst  them  and  went  with 
these  to  Strathardaill,  which  he  wasted  and  spoiled,  killed  some 
of  the  people,  and  carried  away  their  cattle.  In  his  return  home, 
as  he  was  passing  by  the  ile  of  Moy  with  the  prey,  Mackintosh 
(Cheftain  of  the  Clann  Chattan)  sent  to  him  to  crave  a  pairt  of  the 
spoile,  being  persuaded  hereto  by  some  evil  disposed  pepleous 
about  him,  and  challanging  the  same  as  due  into  him  by  custome. 
John  Munro  in  curtsie  offered  into  Mackintosh  a  reasonable  pirt, 
when  he  thorow  evill  councole  refused  to  accept,  and  would  have 
no  less  than  the  half  of  the  whole  booty,  whereunto  Munro  would 
not  harken  nor  yield,  bot  goelt  on  his  intended  journey  home- 
wards. Mackintosh  convenes  his  forces  with  all  dillegence  and 
followes  Munro,  whom  he  overtook  at  Clagh-ne-Hayre,  besid 
Inverness,  hard  by  the  ferry  of  Kessock.  John,  perceiving 
Mackintosh  and  his  companie  following  them  hard  at  hand,  he 
sent  fiftie  of  his  men  home  to  Ferrindonald  with  the  spoile,  and 
encouraged  the  rest  of  his  followers  to  fight,  so  there  ensued  a 
cruel  conflict,  wherein  Mackintosh  was  slain  with  most  pairt  of  his 
companie,  divers  of  the  Munros  were  also  slain.  John  Munro  was 
left  as  deid  in  the  field,  and  was  taken  up  by  the  Lord  Lovat,  his 
predicessors,  who  carried  him  to  his  house,  where  he  was  cured  of 
his  wounds,  and  was  from  thenceforth  called  John  Bacclawigh, 
because  he  was  mutilate  of  one  of  his  hands  all  the  rest  of  his 
days.  From  this  John  Munro  the  familie  of  Milntoun  Munro 
descended." 

In  a  lecture  given  by  the  Rev.  Alex.  Macgregor  in  Inverness 
in  1875,  he  gave  a  graphic  account  of  this  famous  raid,  and  in  a 
conversation  I  afterwards  had  \vith  hirn  he  told  me  that  a  Strath- 
ardle man  told  him  over  thirty  37ears  before  that  the  field  on 
which  the  Munro's  encamped  when  the  tails  were  cut  off  their 
horses  was  well  known,  and  still  called  "  Dai-nan -earball " — Field 
of  Tails,  and  Mr  Macgregor  asked  me  if  I  knew  it.  I  told  him  I 
did  not,  though  I  was  quite  familiar  with  the  circumstances  of  the 
raid.  I  then  made  every  possible  inquiry,  my  only- clue  being 
that  Mr  Macgregor  knew  it  was  a  "high-lying  haugh  near  the 
river,"  but  I  could  not  fix  the  spot,  though  I  visited  every  likely 
place  above  Bridge  of  Cally,  and  cross-examined  all  the  old  folks. 

16 


242  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

For  eleven  years  I  was  unsuccessful,  till  at  last  I  got  a  letter  from 
my  old  teacher,  Mr  Morrison,  the  able  and  worthy  schoolmaster  of 
Kirkmichal,  to  whom  I  had  at  first  applied  for  assistance, 
saying : — "  I  was  lately  in  Gleushee  seeing  an  old  man,  Robert 
Fleming,  with  whom  I  had  a  conversation  about  his  earlier  days. 
His  parents  removed  to  Glen  Fernate  when  he  was  a  child  to  the 
service  of  the  late  Mr  Spottiswood.  I  asked  him  if  he  knew  a 
place  by  the  name  of  Dal-na-earball.  He  said  he  knew  it  welL 
It  is  that  level  haugh  above  Craig-losgte  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Fernate,  at  the  foot  of  a  round  hill.  There  is  a  small  stream 
winding  through  it.  I  am  afraid  old  Rob  is  now  one  of  the  very 
last  to  recognize  the  place." 

I  was  very  pleased  indeed  to  get  this  valuable  information,  and 
so  to  be  able  to  settle  exactly  the  locality  of  one  of  our  most 
historic  scenes  in  Strathardle.  Had  it^iot  been  for  Mr  Morrison's 
kind  interest  in  hunting  up  this  place,  and  the  happy  chance  of 
his  meeting  old  Rob  away  in  lone  Glenshee,  the  secret  of  the 
whereabouts  of  Dal-nan-earball  would  have  died  with  the  old  man, 
who  soon  after  went  over  to  the  majority,  which  shows  that  not  a 
moment  should  be  lost  in  collecting  what  is  left  of  our  old  lore. 

1335. — This  was  a  black  year  for  Strathardle,  f  r  after  the 
terrible  ravages  of  the  Munros,  and  the  carrying  away  of  all  their 
cattle,  the  country  was  in  a  very  bad  state,  which  was  aggravated 
by  a  terrible  famine  all  over  Scotland  at  the  same  time ;  Tytler,  in 
his  History  of  Scotland,  says  : — "  A  grevious  famine,  occasioned 
by  the  continual  ravages  of  war  and  the  cessation  of  all  regular 
agricultural  labour,  had  for  sonic  time  desolated  Scotland.''  And 
in  Peacock's  "  Annals  of  Perth,"  page  69,  we  read  : — "  At  this 
time  a  severe  famine  raged  in  Scotland,  by  which  thousands  of  the 
lower  classes  in  Perth,  as  well  as  other  places,  perished."  No 
doubt  such  dire  consequence  following  cured  the  good  folk  of 
Strathardle  from  indulging  in  such  practical  joking  as  cutting  off 
horses'  tails. 

1336. — Still  another  year  of  war,  want,  famine,  and  turmoil  in 
Strathardle,  as  it  was  overrun  by  both  friend  and  foe,  including 
Sir  Andrew  Moray,  Regent  of  Scotland,  and  even  the  great  King 
Edward  of  England  himself,  who,  after  a  forced  march,  endeavoured 
to  surprise  and  capture  the  Regent  Moray  at  Strone  of  Cally ; 
but  the  Regent,  after  showing  surpassing  coolness  and  bravery, 
eluded  Edward,  who  then  marched  the  English  army  up  Strath- 
ardle, over  the  hill  to  Blair  Athole.  In  Skene's,  John  of  Fcrdun's, 
"  Orygynale  Cronykyle,"  page  353,  we  read  : — "  In  1336,  in  the 
month  of  October,  Andrew  of  Moray,  then  Guardian  of  Scotland, 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  243 

mustered  an  army,  and  besieging  the  strongholds  of  Dunnotter, 
KynniefF,  and  Lauriston  took  them  and  levelled  them  to  the 
ground.  Then  he  tarried  the  whole  winter  in  the  Forest  of 
Platen  and  other  very  safe  places  in  Angus,  being  often  waylaid 
by  the  English,  and  braving  their  dangerous  attacks.  So  through 
the  ceaseless  marauding  of  both  sides  the  whole  land  of  Gowrie, 
Angus,  and  Mearns  was  almost,  for  the  most  part,  reduced  to  a 
hopeless  wilderness  and  to  utter  want." 

Tytler  says,  in  his  "  History  of  Scotland,"  Vol.  I.,  page  180:— 
"  Prompted  by  the  restless  desire  so  often  formed,  and  so  con- 
stantly defeated,  of  compelling  the  subjugation  of  Scotland,  the 
English  Monarch  penetrated  first  to  Perth,  and  afterwards  into 
the  more  northern  parts  of  the  kingdom.  His  march  was,  as  usual, 
marked  by  the  utter  destruction  of  the  district  through  which  it  lay. 
After  wasting  the  northern  counties,  he  in  vain  endeavoured  to  bring 
the  Regent,  Sir  Andrew  Moray,  to  battle.  Under  the  command  of 
this  leader,  the  Scots,  intimately  acquainted  with  the  country, 
were  ever  near  the  enemy,  and  yet  always  invisible  to  them  ;  and 
an  anecdote  of  a  masterly  retreat  made  during  the  northern  cam- 
paign has  been  preserved,  which  is  characteristic  of  the  cool 
discipline  of  Moray.  On  one  occasion  word  being  brought  to 
Edward  that  the  Regent  was  encamped  in  the  wood  of  Stronkaltere, 
he  instantly  marched  against  him.  The  intelligence  was  found  to 
be  true,  the  English  and  Scottish  outposts  came  in  sight  of  each 
other  in  a  winding  road  leading  through  the  wood,  and  after  some 
skirmishing  the  Scots  fell  back  to  inform  Moray  of  the  near 
approach  of  the  English  army.  The  Regent  was  then  at  mass,  and 
although  the  danger  was  imminent,  none  dared  interrupt  him 
until  the  service  was  concluded.  On  being  told  that  Edward  and 
his  army  were  at  hand  in  the  forest,  he  observed  there  was  no 
need  of  haste  ;  and  when  his  squires  brought  him  his  horse,  he 
began  quietly  to  adjust  its  furniture,  and  to  see  that  the  girths 
were  tight  and  secure.  When  this  was  going  on  the  English  every 
moment  came  nearer,  and  the  Scottish  knights  around  Moray 
showed  many  signs  of  impatierce.  This,  it  may  be  imagined,  was 
not  lessened  when  one  of  the  straps  which  braced  his  thigh  armour 
snapt  as  he  buckled  it ;  and  the  Regent,  turning  to  an  attendant, 
bade  him  bring  a  coffer  from  his  baggage,  from  which  he  took  a 
skin  of  leather,  and,  sitting  down  leisurely  on  the  bank,  cut  off  & 
broad  strip,  with  which  he  mended  the  fracture.  He  then  returned 
the  box  to  its  place,  mounted  his  horse,  arrayed  his  men  in  close 
column,  and  commenced  his  retreat  in  such  order  that  the  English 
did  not  think  it  safe  to  attack  him  ;  and  having  at  last  gained  a 


244  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

narrow  defile,  he  disappeared  from  their  view  without  losing  a 
man."  "  I  have  heard,"  says  Winton,  "  from  knights  who  were 
then  present,  that  in  all  their  life  they  never  found  time  to  go  so 
slow  as  when  their  old  commander  sat  cutting  his  leather  skin  in 
the  wood  of  Stronkaltyre." 

Tytler  adds  a  note  : — "  The  exact  position  of  this  ancient  wood 
cannot  now  be  discovered.  I  conjecture  it  was  in  Perthshire, 
somewhere  between  Dunkeld  and  Blair."  Tytler  is  quite  wrong  in 
this,  as  the  ancient  wood  of  Stronkaltere  is  well  known  to  students 
of  Perthshire  history,  and  is  simply  the  old  wood  of  Stroncally,  at 
Bridge  of  Cally,  in  Strathardle,  or  as  it  was  usually  spelt,  Stron- 
calady,  Stronkalathyn,  or  Stronkaltere.  In  proof  of  this,  we  find 
in  the  Rent-Roil  of  Cupar  Abbey  this  ancient  wood  of  Stronkaltyre 
very  often  mentioned,  and  the  Abbey  from  its  very  earliest  date 
always  kept  a  special  head  forester  to  Idbk  after  it.  For  instance, 
in  the  Rent-Roll,  page  198,  we  find  a  tack  from  the  Abbot  David 
in  1473  :— '•  Our  lands  of  Calady  ar  set  to  Neyl  MkKeden  for  all 
the  days  of  his  lyfe  :  And  he  shall  keep  the  Wuddis  (woods)  of 
Stroyncalady  and  be  master  forester  of  all  our  wuddis  in  Strath- 
ardyl."  So  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  about  Stron- 
kaltere, or  Stronkalathyn,  as  it  is  differently  spelt  in  old  records, 
though  Tytler  was  not  aware  of  the  ancient  spelling  of  Stroncally, 
or  oi  there  being  a  famous  forest  there  of  old,  of  which  we  have 
many  records. 

There  can  be  no  donbt  whatever  as  to  the  "  narrow  defile" 
through  which  the  Scottish  army  disappeared  when  the  English 
came  upon  them,  as  the  entrance  to  Glenshee  up  the  Blackwater 
afforded  one  of  the  best  possible  retreats  from  Stronecally,  and  a 
few  brave  men  could  there  have  successfully  opposed  the  whole 
English  army. 

After  the  Regent  escaped  at  Stroncally,  Edward  inarched  the 
English  army  up  Strathardle  and  Glen  Brierachan  to  Blair  Athole, 
as  Winton  informs  us  : — 

"  And  north wartis  on  his  gate  can  ga 
He  came  to  Blare,  and  there  thai  lay." 

King  Edward  stayed  some  time  at  Blair  Castle,  on  a  visit  to  the 
Earl  and  Countess  of  Athole,  who  were  then  on  the  English  side. 

As  we  have  just  read,  in  the  quotations  given  from  Tytler,  of 
Edward's  conduct  during  this  expedition: — "His  march  was  as 
usual  marked  by  the  utter  destruction  of  the  districts  through 
which  it  lay."  Now,  if  such  was  the  case  before,  we  may  be  sure 
that  after  being  outwitted  and  out-generaled  by  the  Regent  at 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  245 

Stroncally,  Edward  and  his  army  would  be  more  savage  and 
destructive  than  ever  during  the  march  up  Strathardlo  and  Glen 
Brierachan.  Wynton  says  Edward  "  was  wa "  when  the  Scots 
escaped,  and  as  the  English  were  so  numerous,  20,000  men,  nothing 
could  have  escaped  them,  so  that  the  whole  district  must  have 
suffered  utter  destruction.  As  King  Edward's  attempt  to  capture 
the  Regent  Moray  at  Stroncally  is  one  of  our  principal  historical 
events  in  Strathardle,  I  may  give  the  original  account  of  it  as 
it  is  given  in  Wyntoun's  "  Orygynale  Cronykil"  for  year  1336  : — 

"  A  thowsand  and  thre  hundyr  yhere 
And  sex  and  thretty  to  tha  clere, 
And  then  the  Kyng  of  Ingland, 
Wyth  twenty  thousand  chosen  men, 
He  held  his  way  wyth  his  menyhe. 
And  sune  he  passyd  the  Scottis  Se ; 
And  syne  to  Perth  has  tane  his  way. 
Schyre  Andrew  off  Murrawe  than  lay, 
Wyth  the  menyhe  that  wyth  hym  were, 
In  the  wode  of  Stron  Kaltere. 
That  to  the  Kyng  Edward  vves  tald, 
Tharefor  evyn  till  hym  he  wald, 
And  came  so  near  in  tyll  a  thrawe, 
That  thairc  dyscoverowris  athir  sawe 
Sum  off  thaim  justyd  off  were. 
Schyr  Andre  we  in  Stron  Kaltere 
Herand  his  Mes  was  standand  then, 
Bot  there  wes  nane  of  all  his  men, 
That  evyr  wes  in  his  rowt  that  day, 
That  ony  word  durst  till  hym  say, 
Quhill  he  wes  herand  Mess,  tor  he 
Thareat  suld  anoyit  be. 
Tharefor  thai  made  thaim  bowne  and  bade 
Quhill  that  he  herd  his  Mes  all  had  ; 
Than  have  thai  tald  till  hym  how  nere 
That  the  Kyng  and  his  gret  ost  were. 
He  said,  "  Na  hast,"  qnhethyr  perfay 
Hys  folk  wald  fayne  have  bene  away, 
For  the  gret  ost  wes  then  so  nere 
That  sum  but  schort  space  fro  thame  were. 
Hys  hors  till  hym  thai  browcht  in  hy  ; 
Thai  wald,  he  had  bene  on  blythly. 
He  hym  dressyt  his  sted  to  ta  ; 
Hys  cusche  laynere  brak  in  twa. 


246  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Than  wald  he  iiowcht  stere  off  that  place, 

Bot  for  all  hast,  that  evyr  thare  was 

He  gert  bryng  hym  a  lytill  cofyne ; 

A  rone  skyne  tuk  he  thar  off  syne, 

And  schayre  a  (thawyng)  all  at  lay  sere, 

And  tharewyth  festynd  up  his  gere. 

I  herd  sere  Knychtis  syndry  say, 

That  thame  tho  \vcht  nevyre  in  thare  day 

So  rycht  anoyus  a  bydyng, 

As  thai  had  at  that  (thawyng)  scheryng. 

He  lape  on  syne,  and  in  aray 

Held  welle  hys  folk,  and  held  hys  way. 

And  quhen  the  Inglis  saw  thame  then 

Hald  sa  togyddyr  all  thare  men, 

Thai  folowyd,  noucht  owt  <jff  aray, 

Bot  in  hale  batale  folowyd  ay 

Sa  fast  that  thai  had  bene  ourtane, 

Na  war,  that  thai  had  w}th  (thaini)  ane, 

That  kennyd  thame  a  by  way, 

That  ewyn  down  betwix  craggys  lay. 

Throw  that  strayte  rode,  that  dewys, 

Thai  gat  welle  fra  thare  innyrnys, 

And  lefft  nothir  man  na  lad. 

And  (quhen)  the  Kyng  sawe  that  he  had 

Tynt  thame  off  swilk  wys,  he  was  wa, 

And  north  wartis  on  his  gate  can  ga, 

He  came  to  Blare,  and  thare  thai  la} ." 

1340. — About  this  time  I  find  King  David  II.  giving  many 
charters  of  lands  in  the  district,  such  as  : — "  To  John  Stewart  of 
half  the  lands  of  Ferdill.  To  Hugh  Blair  of  the  lands  of  East 
Mause,  or  Maler-eist,  paying  five  chalders  of  victuall  yearly.  To 
John  Hering  of  the  lands  of  Glasclune.  And  to  Adam  of  Blan- 
cradock  the  lands  of  West  Mause." 

1355.— In  Peacock's  "  Annals  of  Perth  "  we  read  : — "  At  this 
time  such  dreadful  torrents  of  rain  fell  in  Perthshire  as  carried 
away  water-mills,  bridges,  houses,  men,  and  herds  of  cattle,  and 
destroyed  many  of  the  towns  which  stood  near  the  banks  of  rivers. 
These  disasters  were  succeeded  by  an  awful  pestilence,  which 
carried  off  a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants.  There  had  also 
been  a  terrible  plague  in  1346,  which  carried  off  a  third  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  kingdom. 

1358. — In  this  year  we  find  Fergus  Fergusson,  son  of  Adam, 
Baron  of  Balmacrochie,  and  Robert,  son  of  Duncan  de  Atholia, 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  247 

ancestors  of  the  Robertsons  of  Struan,  getting  into  trouble  with 
the  Sheriff  of  Perth  abnut  their  lands,  as  we  read  in  the  "  Book  of 
€arth  and  Fortingall,"  p.  118  :— "  In  1358  the  Sheriff  of  Perth  is 
allowed  £12  for  deforcements  made  upon  him  by  Robert,  son  of 
Duncan  (de  Atholia),  and  Eergus,  son  of  Ade,  who  failed  to  give 
suit  for  the  lands  of  Balnafert,  Ballmacreechie,  Bnlnakand,"  &c. 

1365 — Once  again  we  find  part  of  Balmacrochie  changing 
hands,  as  there  is  a  charter  in  Robertson's  Index,  49-4,  of  the 
lands  of  Balmacrochie,  Logybryde,  and  Blavalg,  to  the  Abbey  of 
Dunfermline.  These  lands,  as  we  have  already  seen,  were  granted 
to  Sir  Robert  Lawdere  in  1 280. 

1375.— In  this  year  we  find  King  Robert  II.  residing  twice 
during  the  winter  at  Cupar  Abbey,  and  hunting  in  Strathardle  ; 
and  he  dates  one  of  his  charters  in  Glenshee,  and  another  at 
€upar,  to  his  nephew,  James  de  Lindsay,  of  lands  in  the  Thanedom 
of  Alyth,  and  the  old  Castle  of  Inverqueich,  which  for  long  was  a 
stronghold  of  the  Lindsay  s.  The  charter  as  given  in  the  "  Index," 
121-75,  is  : — "  The  castle  stead  of  Invercuych,  together  with  the 
lands  within  the  same  Thanedom  of  Alyth,  which  belonged  to 
Thomas  de  Rettre."  In  this  year  also  died,  David,  the  last  of  the 
ancient  Celtic  Earls  of  Athole  ;  and  Skene  says : — "  When  the 
Celtic  Earls  of  Athole  became  extinct,  and,  in  consequence,  the 
subordinate  clans  in  the  district  of  Athole  assumed  independence, 
the  principal  part  of  that  district  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Clan 
Donnachie,  or  the  Robertsons."  Up  till  the  end  of  last  century 
most  of  the  upper  part  of  Strathardle  belonged  to  that  powerful 
clan. 

1389. — In  this  year  one  of  the  greatest  events  in  the  annals  of 
Strathardle  took  place — the  famous  Raid  of  Angus,  when  the  Clan 
Donnachie,  or  Robertsons,  led  by  the  sons  of  their  chief — Robert, 
Patrick,  Thomas,  and  Gibbon,  and  other  allied  clans,  under  the 
leadership  of  Duncan  Stewart,  son  of  the  famous  and  ferocious 
Alexander  Stewart,  called  the  Wolf  of  Badenoch,  fourth  son  of 
King  Robert  II.,  made  a  raid,  and  harried  Glen  Isla,  Glen  Esk, 
and  other  districts  of  Angus,  killing  many  of  the  Ogilvies  and 
Lindsays,  and  driving  off  all  their  cattle.  The  men  of  these  dis- 
tricts gathered,  and  followed  the  Highlanders  to  Glasclune,  in  the 
Sormont,  where  a  bloody  battle  was  fought,  in  which  the  Clan 
Donnachie  were  victorious,  and  they  continued  their  march  up 
Strathardle,  driving  their  spoil  before  them.  Meanwhile,  news  of 
the  raid  had  spread  all  over  the  country,  and  most  of  the  Angus 
lairds  gathered  their  forces,  and.  joining  the  defeated  men  of  Glen 
Isla  and  Glen  Esk,  hurried  up  Strathardle,  and  overtook  the  High- 


248  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

landers  at  Dalnagarn,  at  the  very  head  of  Glen  Brierachaiu 
Here  a  second  battle  took  place,  one  of  the  riercest  ever  fought  in 
all  the  conflicts  of  the  clans,  when  the  Highlanders,  in  kilt  and 
plaid,  and  armed  only  with  target  and  claymore,  met  and  routed 
the  flower  of  Scottish  chivalry,  mounted,  and  armed  with  long 
lances,  and  fully  clad  in  steel  armour  of  the  finest  temper,  and  led 
by  Sir  David  Lindsay  of  Glen  Esk,  the  most  renowned  warrior  of 
his  time  in  Scotland,  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie,  Sir  Patrick  Gray,  and 
other  barons  of  equal  renown.  Tytler,  in  his  "  History  of  Scot- 
land," Vol.  II.,  page  3,  says  :— "  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie,  then  Sheriff  of 
Angus,  along  with  Sir  Patrick  Gray,  and  Sir  David  Lindsay,  of 
Glen  Esk,  instantly  collected  their  power,  and,  although  inferior 
in  numbers,  trusting  to  the  temper  of  their  armour,  attacked  the . 
mountaineers.  But  they  were  almost  instantly  overwhelmed,  the 
Highlanders  fighting  with  a  ferocity  and  contempt  of  life,  which 
seem  to  have  struck  a  panic  into  their  steel-clad  assailants. 
Ogilvie,  with  his  brother,  Wat  of  Lichtoune,  Young  of  Ouchter- 
lony,  the  lairds  of  Cairncross,  Forfar,  and  Guthrie,  were  slain,  and! 
sixty  men-at-arms  along  with  them,  whilst  Sir  Patrick  Gray  andi 
Sir  David  Lindsay  were  grievously  wounded,  and  with  difficulty 
carried  off'  the  field.  The  indomitable  fierceness  of  the 
mountaineers  is  strikingly  shewn  by  an  anecdote  preserved  by 
Wynton  : — '  Lindsay  had  pierced  one  of  these,  a  brawny  and  power- 
ful man,  through  the  body  with  his  spear,  and  thus  apparently 
pinned  him  to  the  ground,  but  although  mortally  wounded,  and 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  he  writhed  himself  up  by  main  strength, 
and,  with  the  weapon  in  his  body,  struck  Lindsay  a  desperate  blow 
with  his  sword,  which  cut  him  through  the  stirrup  and  steel-boot 
into  the  bone,  after  which  his  assailant  instantly  sank  down  and 
expired.'" 

A  good  deal  of  confusion  exists  amongst  our  old  writers  about 
the  raid  of  Angus  ;  Bower  and  some  others  give  the  date  as  1391. 
Bower  says: — "In  1391  the  Caterns  invaded  the  Braes  of  Angus, 
with  Duncan  Stewart  at  their  head,  and  were  encountered  by 
AValter  Ogilvie,  Sheriff  of  Angus,  with  such  of  the  barons  of  Angus 
and  their  followers  as  he  could  hastily  summons,  at  a  place  called 
Glenbrereth  (Glen  Brierachan),  where  the  Sheriff  and  sixty  of  his. 
followers  were  slain "  (Scotichconicon,  vol.  ii.,  page  450). 
Wyntoun  and  others  give  the  date  as  1392,  but  both  these  date* 
are  wrong,  and  it  must  have  been  in  1389,  as  we  find  the  King, 
Robert  III.,  holding  a  Council  at  Perth,  for  making  arrangements 
for  punishing  the  leaders  of  the  Highlanders,  as  early  as  20th 
March,  1390.  Skene,  in  his  "  Celtic  Scotland,"  vol.  in.,  page  309, 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  249 

says  : — "  It  is  unnecessary  to  enter  into  the  particulars  of  the  con- 
flict, striking  though  the  details  are,  but  we  have  more  certain 
information  as  to  the  leaders  of  the  Highlanders  in  a  brief,  issued 
by  King  Robert  III.  at  a  general  council  held  at  Perth  on  20th 
March,  1390,  and  addressed  to  the  Sheriff  and  bailiffs  of  Aberdeen, 
directing  them  to  put  to  the  horn  as  outlaws  the  following  persons 
guilty  of  the  slaughter  of  Walter  de  Ogilvie,  Walter  de  Lichton, 
and  others  of  the  King's  leiges : — Duncan  and  Robert  Stewarts, 
Patrick  and  Thomas  Duncansons,  Robert  de  Athale,  Andrew 
Macnayr,  Duncan  Bryceson,  Angus  Mac  nay  r,  and  John  Ayson, 
junior,  and  all  others  their  adherents,  and  as  taking  part  with 
them  in  the  slaughter  ;  Slurach  and  his  brothers,  with  the  whole 
Clanqwhevil,  £c.  (N.  Acts  of  Parlinment,  vol.  i.,  page  579).  The 
Stewarts  were  sons  of  the  Wolf  of  Badenoch,  Earl  of  Buchan  ;  the 
Duncansons,  with  Robert  de  Atholc,  were  the  heads  of  the  Clan 
Donnachie,  descended  from  the  old  Earls  of  Athole,  who  possessed 
the  north-western  district  bordering  on  Badenoch  ;  the  Macnayrs 
possessed  Foss,  in  Strathtunmiel ;  and  the  Aysons,  Tullymet,  in 
Athole.  The  others  belonged  to  Buchan  and  Strathnairn,  and  were 
followers  of  the  Wolf  of  Badenoch  ;  and  the  cause  of  the  raid  seems 
to  have  arisen  from  this — that  Sir  David  Lindsay  had  inherited 
Glenesk  in  Angus  and  the  district  of  Strathnairn  from  his  mother, 
one  of  the  daughters  and  co-heirs  of  Sir  John  Stirling  of  Glenesk, 
while  another  of  the  daughters  had  married  Robert  de  Atholia, 
chief  of  the  Clan  Donnachie.  His  possession  of  Strathnairn  would 
bring  him  into  contact  with  the  Wolf  of  Badenoch  and  the  northern 
elans,  and  a  quarrel  regarding  the  succession  probably  brought  the 
Clan  Donnachie  into  the  field." 

I  find  another  link  of  connection,  which  Skene  seems  to  have 
overlooked,  in  Col.  Robertson  of  Lude's  "  Earldom  of  Athole," 
where  we  find  (pages  26-27)  that  Robert  de  Atholia,  and  his  wife, 
the  co-heiress  of  Glenesk's  daughter  ;  also  Janet,  married  the  Wolf 
of  Badenoch's  son,  Duncan  Stewart,  the  leader  of  the  Highlanders 
at  the  raid  of  Angus.  This  Duncan  Stewart  \vas  the  ancestor  of 
the  Stewarts  of  Garth,  Bonskeid,  Fincastle,  &c. 

The  Angus  barons  overtook  the  Highlanders  at  Dalnagarn,  at 
the  very  head  of  the  Glen,  and  the  battle  took  place  on  the  field  to 
the  west  of  the  farmhouse,  which,  as  before  mentioned,  took  its 
name,  Dal-nan-carn,  Field  of  Cairns,  from  the  cairns  raised  over  the 
slain,  according  to  the  ancient  custom  of  the  Highlanders,  both  as 
a  memorial  and  to  prevent  wolves  from  scratching  up  the  bodies. 
When  defeated,  the  Angus  men  fled  eastward,  and  many  other 
place  names  in  the  Glen  still  recal  the  deeds  of  that  famous  day, 


250  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

such  as  Cluneskea,  Cluan-cath,  Haugh  of  Battle ;  Dalchosnie, 
Field  of  Victory,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  opposite  Tomchulan, 
where  the  Angus  men  made  their  last  stand ;  Clash  Cath,  Pass  or 
Ravine  of  Battle,  that  narrow  pass  at  the  very  foot  of  Craig- 
nan-Cunaig,  one  of  the  most  romantic  spots,  and  finest  bits  of 
scenery,  and  one  of  the  most  unfrequented  places  in  Strathardle, 
through  which  the  defeated  barons  rode,  and  where  they  lost 
many  men,  whose  bodies  were  afterwards  thrown  into  the  little 
loch — Loch-an-Dun,  or  An  Lochan  Dubh — the  Black  Loch  of  the 
Dun,  which  ever  since  then  has  had  a  very  evil  repute  as  being 
haunted  by  the  ghosts  of  the  slain  Angus  men.  The  Choic-Dhubh 
—Black  Hillocks — that  range  of  black  heathery  knowes  that  lie 
between  the  Pass  of  Clash  cath  and  the  present  road  from  Ceann- 
ghline  to  Strathloch,  also  got  their  name  then,  and  ever  since 
have  been  reputed  about  the  very  w^orst  haunted  place  in  the 
district,  and  up  till  the  present  generation  the  bravest  men  in  the 
glen  did  not  care  to  take  that  road  after  dark,  and  always  had  an 
eerie  feeling,  especially  in  passing  the  burn  that  comes  from  Loch- 
an-Dun.  A  lady  friend  of  mine  told  me  not  long  ago  that  the 
worst  fright  ever  she  got  was  when  a  girl  at  school  she  was  playing 
with  others  in  the  Cnoic-Dhubh,  where  the  burn  from  Loch-an- 
Dun  passes  under  the  road,  and  on  looking  into  the  dark  pend 
under  the  road,  she  saw  something  blood-red  which,  from  the  evil 
repute  of  the  place,  she  at  once  set  down  as  something  uncanny, 
but  which  on  further  investigation  turned  out  to  be  only  old 
Norman  Shaw,  the  road  surfaceman's  dinner  tied  up  in  an  old 
Turkey-red  handkerchief.  Such  were  the  effects  of  superstition 
which  lingered  there  and  kept  alive  the  memories  of  deeds  done 
nearly  six  centuries  before. 

Early  in  this  century  a  number  of  silver  coins  were  found  on 
Stronchavie,  which  are  supposed  to  have  been  hid  there  immedi- 
ately before  or  after  the  battle  of  Dalnagarn.  Colonel  Robertson 
ot  Lude,  in  his  "  Gaelic  Topography  of  Scotland,"  p.  337,  says  ; — 
"  Glenbrierachan  is  in  Athole,  and  is  derived  from  '  Glean  n-braighe- 
riabhach-an,'  and  signifies  the  valley  of  the  stream  of  the  great 
heights.  Within  this  glen  the  Clan  Donnachie,  or  Robertsons  of 
Athole,  gained  a  second  victory  over  the  Lindsays,  who  had 
followed  them  to  their  own  country  after  the  battle  of  Glasclune, 
where  the  Lindsays  were  also  defeated,  and  which  is  known  in 
Scotch  history  as  the  Raid  of  Angus.  Near  the  site  of  this 
ancient  battle,  in  Glenbrierachan,  there  was  found  about  fifty 
years  ago  a  considerable  number  of  silver  coins  of  the  period.  It 
is  probable  the  owner  had  hid  them  there  before  the  fight  began, 
but  had  been  killed." 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  251 

In  the  New  Statistical  Account  of  the  Parish  of  Moulin,  we 
read  : — "  Coins  have  been  dug  up  in  different  parts  of  the  parish. 
A  few  of  Edward  I.  of  England,  and  Alexander  III.  of  Scotland, 
were  found  several  years  ago  on  the  farm  of  Stronchavie,  in 
Glenbrierachan."  '  And  in  the  same  work,  the  Rev.  David  Duff,  in 
the  account  of  the  Parish  of  Kenmore,  says : — "  In  the  Parish  of 
Moulin,  when  the  writer  was  minister  of  that  place,  there  were 
found  well  up  towards  the  ridge  of  a  lofty  hill  at  the  head  of 
Olenbrierachan,  nearly  two  dozen  of  the  same  kind  of  coins,  of 
which  two  or  three  were  of  Alexander,  and  the  rest  of  Edward. 
Of  these  the  writer  has  half-a-dozen,  and  the  singularity  regarding 
those  of  Edward  is,  that  while  the  obverse  of  all  presents  the  head 
of  the  King,  the  reverse  of  one  bears  the  inscription  '  Civitas 
Cantor ;'  of  another,  •'  C.  London ;'  of  another,  '  C.  Eborac ;'  and 
of  a  fourth,  '  C.  Dunelm  ;'  thus  indicating,  as  it  were,  the  different 
stages  of  the  progress  of  that  rapacious  monarch  towards  his 
destined  prey." 

I  made  a  very  interesting  discovery  last  year  when  at  Dalna- 
garn  visiting  my  respected  friend  Mr  Donald  Stewart,  the  present 
tenant.  In  talking  over  the  battle,  I  asked  him  if  ever  he  had 
come  across  any  relics  of  it  in  tilling  the  ground ;  and  he  told  me 
that  some  years  ago  one  of  his  sons  had  found  an  ancient  stone 
grave  when  ploughing  in  the  middle  of  the  field  of  battle.  1 
wrote  that  son,  Mr  John  Stewart  of  St  Fink,  for  details,  and  he 
replied  as  follows  : — "  I  remember  quite  well,  several  years  ago,  of 
coming  on  an  ancient  stone  grave  in  that  field.  I  was  ploughing, 
and  the  horses  having  taken  fright  at  a  shot  fired  there,  I  stuck 
the  plough  deep  into  the  ground  to  stop  them,  and  came  right 
against  the  stones.  I  would  have  thought  nothing  about  it,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  strange  hollow  sound  I  heard,  which  caused  me 
to  examine  it.  There  were  two  flat  stones  lying  on  the  top,  about 
two  feet  from  the  surface.  They  were  lying  north  and  south.  I 
•did  not  see  but  the  one  grave,  and  when  taking  out  the  stones  I 
did  not  see  any  trace  of  bones,  only  I  must  say  I  was  not  looking 
for  them  ;  but  I  came  across  pieces  of  old  metal.  I  have  come 
across  several  other  flat  stones  near  the  same  place.  I  have  also 
come  across  several  pretty  large  cairns  on  the  hill  to  the  east  of 
Dalnagarn,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  if  they  were  dug  out  to 
the  bottom  they  would  reveal  something." 

I  have  no  doubt  but  what  this  stone  giave  was  that  of  Sir 
Walter  Ogilvie,  or  of  some  of  the  other  Angus  barons  who  fell 
with  him  there,  and  that  the  other  flat  stones  Mr  Stewart  refers 
•to  very  likely  cover  the  other  graves,  and  no  doubt  the  pieces  of 


252  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

old  metal  he  found  were  the  remains  of  those  suits  of  mail,  of 
tempered  steel,  in  which  the  bold  barons  put  so  much  faith,  but 
which  proved  of  so  little  use  as  a  defence  against  the  tremendous 
blows  of  the  Highland  claymores.  As  to  the  several  cairns  he 
mentions  on  the  hill  to  the  east  of  Dalnagarn,  no  doubt  they  were 
raised  over  the  remains  of  some  of  the  fugitives  who  fell  there  on 
their  retreat  from  Dalnagarn,  as  part  of  them  fled  along  the  south 
side  of  the  river  by  Dalchosnie. 

I  may  now  conclude  this  account  of  the  battle  of  Glenbrier- 
achan  by  giving  the  poetical  account  of  it  given  by  old  Andrew  of 
Wyntoim  in  his  "  Orygynale  Cronykil  off  Scotland."  I  must, 
however,  point  out  that  he  makes  a  mistake  both  as  to  the  time 
and  place  of  the  battle,  giving  the  date  as  1392,  when  we  know- 
now  from  the  Acts  of  Parliament  that  it  took  place  in  1389.  He 
also  mixes  up  the  two  battles  together  making  all  the  fighting  to 
take  place  at  Glasclune,  whereas  we  know  that  the  Angus  barons 
were  not  at  Glasclune  at  all,  only  the  men  of  the  raided  glens  of 
Isla  and  Esk  fought  there,  and  the  Angus  lairds  afterwards  joined 
these  and  followed  on  to  Glenbrierachan.  However,  a  Churchman 
living  quietly  in  St  Andrews  Abbey  is  to  be  excused  though  he 
gets  rather  confused  about  the  conflicts  of  the  clans.  W3Tntoun 
•says  (Book  IX.,  Chapter  xiv.) : — 

"  When  slane  wes  off  Angus 
The  Scherrawe  gud  and  vertuous. 
A  thousande  thre  hundyr  ninty  and  twa 
Fra  Cryste  wes  born  off  Maria, 
Thar  fel  a  hey  grete  dyscorde 
Between  Schir  Davy  Lyndesay,  Lorde 
Off  Glenesk,  and  the  Hey  land  men. 
Thre  chifftanys  gret  war  oft  thaim  then 
Thomas,  Patrik,  and  Gibbone  ; 
Duncansonnys  wes  thare  surnowne. 
For  this  discorde  a  day  or  twa 
Wes  set,  bot  all  held  nocht  of  tha. 
Sohir  Davy  de  Lyndesay,  that  wes  wys, 
Trowit  nocht  in  tha  in,  bot  malys  ; 
ID  prevate  he  send  fon-thi 
Up  into  the  land  a  spy. 
Fra  that  spy  passit  in  that  land, 
Off  hym  hard  he  na  tithand, 
Quhil  thare  com  down  all  suddenly 
Off  Scottis  a  gret  cumpany  : 


Sketches  of  Strathardle. 

Off  tha  like  Hyeland-men 

Thrc  hundyr,  or  ma,  ware  sowmyt  then. 

The  Schirrane  of  Angus  in  Ketymys  lay, 

And  by  hym  neire  Schyr  Patrik  Gray, 

The  Lord  de  Lyndesay  at  Dundee. 

Quher  word  ourspred  than  the  can  trie, 

That  the  Scottis  Hieland-men 

War*;  neire  the  wattyr  off  He  then. 

Schyr  Walter  off  Ogylvy,  that  gud  knycht, 

Stowt  and  manfull,  bald  and  \vycht ; 

And  the  gad  knycht  Patrik  Gray, 

That  in  the  cuntre  that  nycht  lay  ; 

Schyr  Davy  Lyndesay  out  off  Dundee 

Sped  hyrn  fast  at  thaim  to  lee  ; 

Wyth  tha  thre  Lord  is  gadrit  then 

Passit  few  atoure  thre  scor  of  men. 

The  Scherrane  and  Schyr  Patrik  Gray 

As  foremost  held  the  nearest  way, 

And  thoucht  to  gere  sum  thing  be  done, 

Suppos  the  Lyndesay  nevyr  sa  sone 

Suld  cum  amang  the  Scottis  men. 

Befor  the  lawe  tha  Knychtis  then, 

That  ware  of  harte  baith  stern  and  stout, 

Presyt  thame  fast  to  skaile  that  rout. 

In  the  stermond  at  Gasklune 

That  dulefule  dawerke  that  tyme  wes  done. 

Suhile  thai  ware  in  that  pres  fechtand, 

The  Lyndesay  gud  wes  at  thare  hand, 

And  if  tha  Scottis  heire  and  thare 

Sum  he  slewe,  sum  wondyt  sare, 

Sua,  on  his  hors  he  sittand  than 

Throw  the  body  he  stray k  a  man 

Wytht  his  spere  down  to  the  erde : 

That  man  held  fast  his  awyn  swerd 

In  tyl  his  neve,  and  up  thrawand 

He  pressit  hym,  nocht  agayn  standand 

That  he  was  pressit  to  the  erd, 

And  wyth  a  swake  thare  off  his  swerd 

The  sterup  lethaire  and  the  bute 

Thre  ply  on  foure  abune  the  fute 

He  straik  the  Lyndesay  t*  the  bane 

That  man  na  straike  gave  bot  that  ane, 

For  thar  he  deit ;  yeit  nevirtheless 


254  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

,  That  gud  Lord  thare  wondit  wes, 

And  had  deit  thare  that  day, 
Had  nocht  his  men  had  hym  away 
Agane  his  wil  out  of  that  pres. 
Sohir  Patrike  Gray  sare  wondyt  wes, 
And  trowyt  thar  til  haff  bene  ded, 
Had  he  nocht  bene  had  of  that  stede. 
Gud  Schir  Walter  off  Ogylwy, 
That  manly  knycht  and  that  worthy 
Scherrane  that  tyme  of  Angus, 
Godlike,  \vis,  and  vertuous ; 
And  a  gud  squire  off  grete  renown 
His  bruthire  Wat,  cald  off  Lichtoune 
(To  this  gud  Scherrane  off  Angus 
Halff  bruthire  he  wes,  and^icht  famous  ; 
Off  syndry  fadris  ware  thai  twa, 
Off  lauchful  bed  ilkane  of  tha) 
Carncors,  Forfare,  and  Guthery, 
And  Wylliame  Yong  of  Ouchtirlony, 
And  uthir  gentillis  and  yomen  ma 
Off  his  kyn  and  his  (house)  alswa 
Wald  nocht  fra  hym  pas  away  ; 
Bot  bidand  in  the  feyld  that  day, 
Slane  al  togiddyr  (thai)  war, 
That  bidand  ware  wyth  the  Scherrane  thare, 
Al  oure  land  sare  menyt  done 
That  dulefull  dawerk  at  Gasklune. 

This  "  doleful  work  at  Glasklune,"  which  good  old  Wyntoune 
laments  so  pathetically,  was  not  done  there  at  all,  as  we  have 
already  seen,  but  at  Dalnagarn,  and  there  the  "  gud  Sheriff  "  lies, 
with  the  "  other  gentles  of  his  kin,  who  would  not  from  him  pass 
away,  but  stayed  in  the  field  that  day,  slain  all  together." 

1402. — In  this  year  I  find  a  charter  from  King  Robert  III.  to 
Thomas  Dimcanson,  or  Robertson — the  first  Robertson  on  record 
called  "  of  Struan  "  (the  previous  title  being  "  de  Atholia  ") — and 
who  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Clan  Dcmiachie  at  the  raid  of 
Angus,  of  the  lands  of  Straloch,  Easter  Davan,  Tomanturie, 
Dekerwand,  and  Dalcharinch  (now  Glen  Fernate  Lodge).  This  is 
the  first  written  record  I  have  come  across  of  the  Clan  Donnachie's 
connection  with  Strathardle.  This  charter  is  given  in  Robertson's. 
"  Index  of  Charters,"  141-47  : — "  To  Thomas  Duncanson  of  Athol, 
of  the  lands  of  Strathloche,  Easter  Davache,  and  Tomcury,  Dekar- 


Sketches  of  Strathardle.  255- 

wand,  and  Dalacharmy."  The  next  charter  in  the  "  Index,"  No. 
48,  is  also  to  Thomas  Dimcanson  of  Athole,  "  of  the  lands  of 
Strowane,  ane  ratification  of  all  his  lands,  with  a  taillie."  About 
the  same  time  I  find  a  charter— "  Index "  148-32— to  William 
Buttar,  of  the  lands  of  Gormack.  And  also  a  charter — "  Index  " 
149-43 — to  James  Spalding  of  the  lands  of  Fermall  and  Fornachty 
in  Forfarshire.  These  charters  are  the  first  records  I  have  found 
of  the  old  families  of  Buttar  and,  Spalding,  who  have  been  so  long 
connected  with  Strathardle. 

1404. — The  winter  of  this  year  was  noted  for  one  of  the 
greatest  snow  storms  ever  known  in  Perthshire.  In  the  "  Chronicle 
of  Fortingall  we  read  : — "In  the  year  of  the  Lord  1404  a  great 
snow  fell  generally  on  the  land  at  the  Feast  of  All  Saints,  and 
remained,  increasing  always,  even  to  the  Feast  of  St  Patrick." 
That  is,  from  1st  November  to  17th  March,  a  period  of  nineteen 
weeks,  the  snow  went  on  increasing. 

Having  now,  in  this  second  paper,  followed  the  history  of  Strath- 
ardle for  about  another  four  centuries,  I  will  leave  what  follows  for 
another  vear. 


ANNUAL  ASSEMBLY. 

The  Twentieth  Annual  Assembly  of  the  Society  was  held  in 
the  Music  Hall  on  14th  July,  1892.  As  in  previous  years, 
great  trouble  had  been  taken  with  the  decorations  of  the 
platform.  In  the  absence  of  the  Chief  of  the  Society — Sir  Kenneth 
S.  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch,  Bart. — the  Rev.  Dr  Norman  Macleod, 
one  of  the  Chieftains  of  the  Society,  presided.  Every  part  of  the 
building  wras  crowded,  and  the  meeting  was  attended  with  an 
amount  of  success  never  perhaps  equalled  at  these  gatherings. 
Dr  Macleod  was  accompanied  to  the  platform  by  Emeritus  Professor 
Blackie  ;  Mr  Gilbert  Beith,  M.P.  for  the  Inverness  Burghs  ;  Sir 
Henry  C.  Macandrew ;  Provost  Ross ;  Mr  William  Mackay, 
solicitor,  hon.  secretary  to  the  Society  ;  ex-Bailie  Mackenzie  ;  Mr 
Alex.  Mackenzie,  Ballifeary ;  Mr  Godfrey  Mackinnon,  Dunain 
Park  ;  Mr  Fraser  of  Millburn  ;  Dr  F.  M.  Mackenzie  ;  Mr  James 
Fraser,  C.E. ;  Mr  William  Gunn  ;  Mr  H.  V.  Maccallum,  Queens- 
gate  ;  Mr  Macpherson,  banker,  Kingussie  ;  Rev.  Mr  Macdonald, 
Killearnan  ;  Rev.  Mr  Sinton,  Dores  ;  Rev.  Mr  Bentinck,  Kirkhill ; 
Rev.  Mr  Archibald  Macdonald,  Kiltarlily  ;  Mr  A.  F.  Steele,  banker ; 
Mr  D.  H.  Chisholm ;  Mr  Duncan  Mackintosh,  secretary  to  the 
Society,  and  others. 


256  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

The  Secretary  intimated  apologies  for  absence  from  the  fol- 
lowing members  of  the  Society  : — The  Mackintosh  of  Mackintosh, 
Sir  Kenneth  S.  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch,  Bart.  ;  Duncan  Forbes  of 
Culloden  ;  James  E.  B.  Baillie  of  Dochfour ;  Ian  M.  Grant  of 
Glenmoriston  •  Fitzroy  C.  Fletcher  of  Letham  Grange ;  W.  D. 
Mackenzie  of  Farr ;  Lachlan  Macdonald  of  Skaebost ;  Rev.  Alex. 
Stewart,  D.D.,  Nether-Lochaber ;  Major  Jackson  of  Swordale ; 
C.  Fraser-Mackintosh,  M.P.  ;  Charles  limes,  solicitor ;  P.  Burgess, 
Glen-Urquhart ;  Captain  Chisholm  of  Glassburn ;  and  Colonel 
Murray,  Inverness. 

The  Chairman,  who  was  received  with  applause,  said — I  esteem 
it  a  privilege  to  occupy  the  chair  on  this  occasion.  For  the  first 
time  in  my  life  I  find  myself  a  "  Chieftain,"  and  gladly  do  I  avail 
myself  of  the  opportunity  of  thanking  those  whose  kindness  has 
placed  me  in  a  position  as  novel  u*  it  is  honourable.  I  am 
very  sensible  that  my  personal  claims  to  be  heard  on  such 
subjects  as  those  affecting  the  literature,  traditions,  and  history  of 
the  Highlands  are  extremely  slender,  and  yet  I  fain  hope  that  my 
sympathy  with  the  aims  of  your  Society,  with  the  additional 
qualifications  of  a  Highland  name  not  unforgotten  or  unknown  in 
this  connection ;  of  a  Highland  tongue  and  a  Highland  heart, 
may  be  deemed  some  sort  of  fitness  for  the  office  which, 
through  your  kindness,  I  now  hold.  First  of  all,  let  me 
congratulate  you  on  the  good  work  accomplished  by  the  Gaelic 
Society  of  Inverness  during  the  twenty  years  of  its  existence.  The 
Transactions  published  annually  are  in  the  highest  degree  credit- 
able to  the  intelligence  and  research  of  the  members,  and  have  in 
numerous  instances  thrown  an  interesting  light  on  the  manners 
and  customs  as  well  as  on  the  literature  of  a  time  long  past. 

THE   CONDITION    OF   THE    HIGHLANDS. 

One  object  of  the  Society  is  the  perfecting  of  the  members  in 
the  use  of  the  Gaelic  language,  but  other  objects  have  certainly 
been  attended  with  a  gratifying  measure  of  success,  while 
"burning  questions,"  which  might  have  "set  the  heather  on 
fire,"  have,  as  a  rule,  been  wisely  avoided.  I  do  not  intend 
by  this  last  observation  to  suggest  for  a  moment  that  such 
a  point  as,  for  examplje,  the  social  state  of  the  Highlands  in  the 
past  or  the  present,  is  unworthy  of  the  consideration  of  a 
Society  like  this.  On  the  contrary,  I  believe  that  a  historical 
investigation  of  that  subject,  fairly  and  honestly  conducted,  might 
contribute  in  many  ways  to  the  calm,  earnest,  and  reasonable 
discussion  of  present-day  problems  which  is  so  much  to  bo 


Annual  Assembly.  257 

desired.  I  deplore,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  the 
depopulation  of  the  Highlands,  though  I  regret  the  direction 
which  the  recent  agitation  has  sometimes  taken,  and  feel  bound 
to  condemn  much  that  has  been  said  and  done.  I  would  yield  to 
no  man  in  the  strength  of  my  desire  to  see  existing  evils  removed 
by  every  legitimate  method,  I  know  well  that  there  have 
been  hardship  and  suffering,  for  which  the  poor  people  them- 
selves are  in  no  sense  responsible.  They  have  been  driven,  in  too 
many  instances,  into  a  corner,  where  subsistence  was  barely 
possible.  It  may  be  true  that  there  are  no  "waste"  in 
the  Highlands  in  the  technical  meaning  of  that  word,  but 
"  waste"  lands,  so  far  as  human  habitation  is  concerned,  undoubt- 
edly there  are,  and  I  for  one  would  rejoice  to  see  these 
lauds,  wherever  possible,  repeopled  by  a  happy  and  contented 
peasantry.  It  is  hard,  no  doubt,  to  fight  against  economic 
laws,  but  I  do  trust  that  measures  may  yet  be  devised  by 
which  the  population  may  be  more  equitably  distributed  and 
more  comfortably  settled  in  their  own  country.  We,  of  this 
Society,  will  ever  watch  efforts  with  the  warmest  interest 
and,  so  far  as  lies  in  our  power,  I  am  certain  that  our  best 
endeavours  will  be  used  at  all  times  to  advance  the  comfort, 
happiness,  and  material  prosperity  of  those  who  are  bone  of 
our  bone,  and  flesh  of  our  flesh.  If  the  race  degenerate, 
as  I  trust  and  hope  it  never  will;  if  it  lose  its  patriotism, 
its  martial  spirit,  its  reverence  for  law  and  order,  its  virtue, 
and  its  piety,  let  it  perish ;  but  if  it  is  still  made  of  the 
same  good  fibre  as  of  old,  I  say  preserve  it  by  all  manner  of 
means  for  its  own  sake  and  for  the  country's  sake.  Do  not 
suppose,  therefore,  that  when  I  express  my  satisfaction  that 
burning  questions  have  been  avoided,  as  they  ought  to  be,  it  was 
because  I  am  indifferent  either  to  the  acknowledged  wrongs  or 
just  aspirations  of  the  Highland  people.  It  was  only  because  I 
feel,  oh,  so  thankful,  that  the  Gaelic  Society  has  no  politics. 

HIGHLANDERS    AND    COUNTRY. 

Thank  heaven  that  this  evening,  at  all  events,  we  can  shut  our 
ears  to  the  din  of  controversy  which  is  heard  outside  these  walls, 
and  soothe  our  minds,  whether  they  are  flushed  by  victory 
or  cast  down  by  defeat,  with  the  dear,  old  Gaelic  airs  to 
which  we  are  to  listen  by-and-by.  Allow  me  to  particularly 
emphasise  one  good  end  effected  by  the  Society.  I  shall  call  it 
cultivation  of  Highland  brotherhood.  It  is  often  said  that  we 
Highlanders  are  clannish.  Well,  1  accept  it  as  a  compliment. 

17 


258  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

We  can  see  our  own  faults  and  acknowledge  them,  but  let  the  out- 
sider, be  he  "  Gaul"  or  "  Sassenach,"  dare  to  suggest  or  insinuate 
a  fault,  and  he  is  pretty  sure  to  awaken  resentment  that  sometimes 
expresses  itself  in  very  forcible  terms.  A  friend  of  mine  was  once 
travelling  in  a  railway  carriage  with  a  Highland  drover.  My  friend 
— an  enthusiastic  Highlander  himself — was  bold  enough,  for  his 
own  aniuseEient,  to  make  some  depreciatory  remarks  with  regard  to 
Highlanders  and  their  ways.  The  worthy  drover  stood  it  patiently 
for  some  time,  but  at  last  could  stand  it  no  longer,  and,  turning 
sternly  to  his  companion,  he  addressed  him  in  a  manner  at  once 
cautious  and  decisive — "  Sir,"  he  said,  "  I  won't  say  what  I  think, 
but  if  I  said  what  I  thought,  I  would  be  tempted  to  say  that  you 
are  a  most  impudent  fellow,  and  a  liar  to  the  bargain."  His  clannish- 
ness,  as  it  is  called,  may  show  itself  in  ridiculous  forms,  but, 
at  bottom,  it  is  a  noble  trait  of  character.  It  is  easy  to  call  it 
"  sentiment."  But  sentiment,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  is  one  of  the 
most  powerful  factors  in  our  lives.  Destitute  of  it,  we  become  dull, 
~rosaic,  and  unimaginative  beings,  who  are  of  the  earth  earthy. 
1  has  often  been  remarked,  and  that  truly,  that  the  love  of 
country  never  glows  with  a  brighter. flame  than  among  those  who 
are  inhabitants  of  mountainous  regions  like  our  own.  There  is 
that  assuri^y  in  the  beautiful  or  sublime  in  nature,  which 
appeals  to  what  is  deepest  and  truest  in  our  hearts  with  a 
power  which  nothing  in  this  world  can  surpass.  "  Two  mighty 
voices  there  are,"  says  Wordsworth,  "  the  mountains  and  the  sea." 
These  two  mighty  voices  once  heard  can  never  be  silenced  or 
forgotten.  To  the  dweller  among  the  hills  every  grey  ben  and 
storm-beaten  sgaur  is  instinct  with  life,  and  has  an  individuality 
all  its  own.  The  love  of  country  is  a  "  passion "  among 
Highlanders.  To  the  ends  of  the  earth  they  may  be  expatri- 
ated, but  no  change  of  circumstances  or  lot  can  eradicate 
those  feelings  of  affection,  with  which  they  cling  to  the  land  which 
is  their  fatherland,  the  land  where  are  the  sepulchres  of  their 
fathers,  where  they  were  born,  and  where,  if  it  were  God's  will, 
they  would  like  to  die  and  be  buried. 

"  From  the  dim  shieling  of  the  misty  island, 
Mountains  divide  them  and  a  waste  of  seas, 
But  still  their  hearts  are  true,  their  hearts  are  Highland, 
They,  in  their  dreams,  behold  the  Hebrides." 

To  such  a  sentiment  as  this,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  see  not 
why  we  should  not  open  our  hearts  freely  and  generously 
We  are  the  inheritors  of  a  common  language  and  a  common 


Annual  Assembly.  259 

fhistory,  such  as  the  lonely  hills  and  misty  moors  alone  could 
mould.  Ours  is  a  land  of  wondrous  beauty  and  romance,  and 
though  there  is  much  in  the  present  condition  of  its  people  which 
we  cannot  but  deplore,  there  is  also  much  that  justifies  the  con- 
tinued existence  of  that  feeling  of  Highland  brotherhood,  which  it 
is  the  aim  of  this  and  kindred  societies  to  foster  and  increase. 

IS    GAELIC    DYING? 

("  No,"  and  applause).  That  is  a  question  often  asked.  I  suppose 
it  is,  though  languages  die  hard,  and  it  will  take  many  a  long 
day  before  Gaelic  ceases  to  be  a  spoken  language  in  the  High- 
lands. With  that,  however,  we  need  not  concern  ourselves 
meanwhile.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  at  all  events,  that  it  is  a 
spoken  language  at  this  moment  in  some  districts  almost  to 
as  great  an  extent  as  it  was  a  hundred  years  ago.  And 
that  being  so,  it  is  surely  right  and  fair  that  this  fact  should 
be  recognised  in  connection  with  the  educational  and  religious 
work  of  the  country.  It  is  not  a  question  about  keeping  a 
language  alive  by  what  are  called  artificial  methods.  The 
language  is  the  vernacular  of  tens  of  thousands  of  the  people,  and 
I  see  not  that  we  are  entitled  to  deal  with  them  educationally 
or  religiously  just  as  if  it  had  no  existence.  There  is  the 
matter  of  education.  I  would  be  the  last  to  suggest  that  the 
teaching  of  Gaelic  should  •  be  substituted  for  English.  That,  of 
course,  would  be  mischievous  and  absurd,  but  why  not  use  it 
as  an  instrument  of  education  in  the  proper  sense  of  that  word, 
and  as  an  aid  to  the  intelligent  acquisition  of  English  1  It 
seems  reasonable  that  in  Highland  districts,  which  are  Gaelic- 
speaking,  the  teacher  should  be  bi-lingual,  and  thus  able  to  make 
English  intelligible  to 'the  scholars,  instead  of  being,  as  it  often  is, 
a  sort  of  parrot  language,  which  is  little  understood  and  soon 
forgotten.  Nor  is  Gaelic  less  required  in  connection  with  the 
ministrations  of  religion.  There  is  too  great  a  tendency  in  some 
quarters  to  discontinue  Gaelic  services,  or  to  thrust  them 
into  a  corner.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  Gaelic  for  other 
literary  purposes,  it  js  a  magnificent  language  for  devotion 
and  for  preaching.  With  marvellous  flexibility  it  adapts  itself 
to  the  varying  emotions  of  the  human  heart,  and  it  is  a 
splendid  vehicle  for  the  communication  of  divine  truth  to  the 
mind  of  man.  I  greatly  fear  that  its  use  in  these  respects 
is  too  frequently  hindered  by  •  the  inability  of  ministers  to  speak 
with  the  ancient  power  and  purity.  The  man  who  can  preach 
now-a-days  with  a  pure  Gaelic  idiom  and  with  good  taste,  a* 


260  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

well  as  fluency,  is,  I  am  afraid,  quite  exceptional.  I  ant 
almost  inclined  to  think  that  old  stones  one  has  often  heard  about 
ridiculous  mistakes  in  Gaelic  idiom  or  pronunciation  might  be 
paralleled  by  modern  examples.  One  such  story  comes  to  my 
recollection,  which  perhaps  the  Gaelic  speaking  portion  of  my 
audience  will  appreciate.  Towards  the  close  of  last  century  a 
minister  from  Ireland  was  settled  in  the  parish  of  Jura.  On  his 
arrival,  he  was  sent  to  sleep  in  a  shepherd's  hut.  He  was 
separated  from  the  apartment  occupied  by  the  shepherd  and 
his  wife  by  a  wicker  partition.  In  the  course  of  the  night 
he  overheard  the  wife  say  to  her  husband,  "  Eirich  marbh 
an  t-eirionnach"  (Rise,  husband,  and  kill  the  goat  buck — Eirionnach 
being  the  Gaelic  word  for  a  goat  buck).  The  minister  thought  it 
was  Eireannach,  an  Irishman.  "  Dean  moille,"  said  the  shepherd,. 
"  cha  do  choidil  esan  fhathast."  (Wait  a  bit,  he  has  not  slept  yet. 
The  minister,  unable  to  notice  the  emphasis  on  the  "esan," 
which  a  good  Gaelic  speaker  would  have  understood,  became 
greatly  alarmed.  After  an  interval  of  silence,  he  again  heard  the 
wife  addressing  the  shepherd  in  what  seemed  still  more  threaten- 
ing language.  "  Chaidil  e  nis"  (he  sleeps  now),  she  exclaimed,  as 
she  peered  through  the  wicker  partition  with  the  lighted  candle  in 
her  hand.  "Eirich,  agus  marbh  a'  bheist."  Whereupon  the 
shepherd  began  to  sharpen  his  knife  on  the  grindstone,  while 
the  minister,  thinking  it  was  time  to  make  his  escape,  rushed 
from  the  house,  with  the  shepherd  after  him  with  the  knife  still 
in  his  hand,  and,  no  doubt,  imagining  that  the  presentee  had 
been  seized  with  some  terrible  form  of  nightmare.  I  think  it  was 
the  same  man  who  wished  to  convey  the  information  that  he 
had  hurt  his  heel,  and  the  way  he  expressed  it  was  this — 
"  Ghoirtich  mi  mo  chas  dheiridh"  (I  have  hurt  my  hind  foot). 
These  are  mistakes  which  might  conceivably  happen  still. 
Now,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  must  not  stand  any  longer  between 
you  and  the  feast  of  music  and  song  which  has  been  provided  for 
our  entertainment.  I  wish  once  more  to  thank  you  for  the  honour 
of  presiding  at  this  annual  festival,  and  to  express  my  hearty 
interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the  Gaelic  Society,  and  all  that  con- 
cerns the  welfare  of  "  Tir  nam  beann  nan  gleann  's  nan  gaisgeach> 

THE  PROFESSOR'S  SPEECH. 

Professor  Blackie  said  he  would  make  two  remarks  upon  the 
spur  of  the  moment,  and  the  first  was,  cultivate  their  native  song. 
Let  them  beware  of  London,  for  healthy  growth  can  only  be 
made  in  one  spot,  the  native  spot.  London  made  a  great  noise 


Annual  Assembly.  261 

in  the  world,  but  it  could  not  produce  birch  trees,  pine  trees,  nor 
our  mountains,  our  songs,  our  Highland  music.  He  had  been  called 
a  learned  man.  That  was  perfectly  right.  He  was  the  most  learned 
man  in  Scotland — it  was  easy  to  say  that,  for  Scotland  was  not  a 
learned  country  ;  but  if  they  wanted  a  learned  country  they  must 
go  to  Germany.  There  were  few  ministers  in  Scotland  who  read 
correctly  their  own  Bibles.  With  regard  to  languages,  he  knew 
Hebrew,  and  eight  or  nine  other  languages.  What  did  they 
think  of  that  1  But  he  did  not  care  a  straw  for  that,  and 
that  was  the  reason  he  mentioned  it.  He  would  squash  all  the 
languages  he  knew,  and  every  book  about  them— all  he  would 
retain  was  the  Bible  and  the  Scotch  songs.  He  would  even  burn 
his  Greek  books.  The  best  thing  was  song — it  embodied  the 
whole  manhood  of  the  people  ;  and  the  best  man  the  nation 
ever  had  was  Robbie  Burns,  who  wrote  songs  that  the  world 
admired.  As  a  man  who  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life, 
he  proceeded,  in  the  work  of  education,  I  say  that  the  most 
important  part  of  education  is  our  native  song.  I  don't  care  what 
Romans  or  Greeks  call  the  sun.  I  care  for  my  heart,  my 
voice,  and  my  soul.  Why  should  I  be  more  stupid  than 
the  mavis  or  the  blackbird  1  They  have  the  sense  to  sing ; 
then,  I  say,  sing,  sing,  sing,  sing  yo,ur  native  songs.  Don't 
be  deceived  by  London  fashions  and  learned  pedantries.  Know- 
ledge sounds  very  well,  but  what  is  the  good  of  knowledge  if  you 
don't  use  it  ?  What  use  is  it  at  all  1  f  he  devil  is  a  very  knowing 
fellow,  I  presume.  You  must  have  inspiration  from  the  heart. 
"  The  heart's  aye  the  part  aye,  that  mak's  us  right  or  wrong." 
It  is  your  own  fault  (to  the  Chairman),  don't  call  me  up  again  ; 
I  generally  speak  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  Because  out  of  the 
fullness  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh  wisdom.  "  I  love 
Highlanders,"  the  Professor  went  on,  "  but  they  have  one  strong 
objection.  They  make  a  kind  of  divorce  between  religion  and 
happiness.  They  think  people  should  not  sing  on  Sunday, 
and  they  have  a  monstous  objection  to  organs  in  churches.  But 
you  must  make  your  piety  shake  hands  with  your  gaiety.  Make 
your  religion  full  of  singing  and  dancing  too.  Oh,  read  the  150th 
Psalm.  I  know  the  Psalm  as  well  as  you  do,  and  a  good  deal  better 
perhaps.  You  find  it  says  praise  the  Lord  with  organs  and 
timbrels  and  harps,  and  praise  the  Lord  with  dances.  Do  not 
make  your  religion  sour.  That  is  the  only  thing  I  don't  like 
about  Highlanders.  The  '  Book'  and  the  song  should  go  hand  in 
hand.  Religion  without  gaiety  is  disagreeable,  and  gaiety  without 
.religion  is  shallow,  and  does  not  reach  the  heart."  When  the 


262  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Professor  had  resumed  his  seat,  there  were  loud  cries  for  "  a  song,"" 
but  he  declined,  remarking  that  "  The  man  that  cannot  say  '  no  '' 
is  a  coward." 

THE    GAELIC    ORATION. 

Rev.  Archibald  Macdonald,  Kiltarlity,  was  then  called  upon  to 
deliver  the  Gaelic  oration,  which  he  did  as  follows  : — Fhir  na 
(•athrach  's  a  luchd-duthcha, — Tha  mor  t  h  oil  inn  t  inn  agam  a  nochd 
aim  a  bhi  rithist  am  measg  comunn  mo  ruin — Comunn  Gaidhealach 
Inbhirnis.  Bha  mi  gu  trie  a'  faotainn  tuairisgeil  mu  'r  deighhm 
aims  an  leabhar  bhliadhnail  a  bha  an  run-chleireach  cur  thugam 
aims  am  bheil  iomadh  oraid  fhoghluimte  agus  thlaehdmhor  air  a 
cumail  air  chuimhne,  mu  bheil  aithris  mu  eachdraidh  agus  mn 
bhardachd  nan  Gaidhcal.  Bho  'n  chunnaic  mise  an  comunn  mu 
dheireadh  tha  aiteachan  falamh  'n  'ur  measg.  Tha  am  bard  a  bha 
agaibh  an  uair  sin,  Mairi  Nic  Ealair,  a  slieinn  cho  ceolmhor  binii 
air  iomadh  pong,  an  deigh  a  chlarsach  fhonumhor  a  leigeil  as. 
Cha  chluinn  sinn  a  guth  an  so  gu  brath — Ach  ged  tha  na  filidheaii 
fein  basmhor  cha  chaochail  spiorad  na  bardachd  am  feasd.  Tha 
falluinnean  nam  bard  a  tuiteam  air  feadhain  eile.  Cha  'n  'eil  agus 
tha  mi  'n  dochas  nach  bi  an  comunn  gun  bhard,  a^us  an  diugh  tha 
ar  cruit-chiuil  air  a  gleusadh  le  h-aon  do  'n  aithne  pongana  milis  a 
thoirt  aisde,  fear  a  dh'  innseas  duibh  aim  am  briathraibh  a  ruigeas 
eridhe  gach  Gaidheil  mu  'n  ghleann  's  an  robh  e  og.  B'fhearr 
learn  fhein  'uuair  a  dh'  iarr  an  run-chleireach  orm  oraid  a  thoirt 
dhuibh  gu  'n  robh  e  'n  deigh  ceann  teagaisg  a  thoirt  dhomh.  Tha 
fhios  agam  'n  a  leithid  so  de  chruinneachadh  gu  bheil  feadhain  de 
gach  ghne  beachd,  agus  mar  sin  'nan  tugainnse  mo  bharail  mu  na 
ceisdeari  a  tha  lionadh  inntiniiean  dhaoine  araon  amis  an  Eaglais 
agus  aims  an  Staid,  tha  eagal  orm  gu  'n  saltairinn  air  ordagan 
euid,  gu'n  toirinn  fuil  air  ceann  carrach,  agus  sgal  air  craos  cam. 
Agus  mar  sin  feumaidh  mi  mo  chursa  stiuireadh  gu  seolta  air 
eagal  gu  'n  tig  mi  tuaitheal  air  cuid  de  m'  chairdean  ionuihuinn. 
Air  an  laimh  eile  ma  chuireas  mi  seachad  an  nine  a  moladh  a' 
Chomuinn  Ghaidhealaich  agus  an  oibre  tha  eagal  orm.  gu  'n  can 
sibh  nach  'eil  annam  ach  piobaire  'n  aon  phuirt.  Cha  chreid  mi 
nach  faodar  so  a  radh  mu  Chomunn  Gaidhealach  Inbhirnis  gu 
bheil  e  dol  air  aghaidh  mar  bu  dual  agus  mar  bu  nos,  cha  'n  ann 
le  piseach  a'  mhinnein  ghaibhre  am  modhad  's  an  grainndead,  ach  a' 
cinntinn  ann  am  maise  agus  am  neart,  mar  a  tha  e  fas  ann  am 
bliadhnaichean  agus  ann  an  aireamh.  Tha  e  iomchuidh  gu'm 
biodh  a  leithid  so  de  chomunn  aim  gu  bhi  cumail  'nar  cuimhne 
gur  Gaidheil  sinn.  Tha  iiaill  oirnn  gun  teagamh  gu  'm  buin  sinn. 


Annual  Assembly.  263 

do'n  aon  righeachd'  gu  bheil  sinn  fo  riaghladh  na  h-aon  Bhanrigh, 
agus  na  h-aon  Pharlamaid.  Gidheadh  cha  toil  leinn  gu'm  biodh 
daoiue  feuchainn  ri  Goill  110  Sasunnaich  a  dheanamh  dhinn.  'S 
fada  bho  'n  thoisich  an  obair  sin,  Thug  Parlamaid  Bhreatuinn 
ionnsuidh  air,  an  deigh  cogadh  Phrionnsa  Tearlach  'nuair  a  bha 
achd  Righ  agus  Parlamaid  air  a  toirt  a  mach  a  dh'  orduich  nach 
faodadh  na  Gaidheil  am  feileadh  a  chaitheamh.  Ghabh  iad  a 
leithid  a  dh'  oillt  roimh'n  tartan  agus  cha  bu  nar  doibh.  Ach  bha 
an  lagh  ud  air  a  mheas  na  chruadal.  Cha  do  ghabh  iad  idir  gu 
toileach  ris  an  triubhas.  'S  ann  a  rinn  iad  iomadh  aoir  agus  oran 
fanoid  d'  i,  a  bha  aig  a'  cheart  am  a  cur  an  ceill  cliu  na  deise 
Gaidhealaich — 

"  'S  coma  learn  a  bhriogais  lachdunn, 

B'  annsa  'n  fheileadh  bheag  's  am  breachdann, 

'S  beag  a  bh'  agam  riamh  a  thlachd, 

De  'n  fhasan  a  bh'  aig  claim  nan  Gall." 

Tha  mi  tighinn  thairis  air  so  gu  bhi  leigeil  fhaicinn  cho  mi" 
reusonta  's  a  tha  e,  agus  cho  fada  'n  aghaidh  naduir  a  bhi  feuclr 
ainn  ri  Ghaidheil  a  dheanamh  nan  Goill.  Far  a'  bheil  nor 
Ghaidheal  cha  'n  e  idir  eun  is  isle  tha  's  an  ealtuinn,  cha  'n  e 
meanglan  is  mi-thorraiche  tha  's  a  gheig.  Ach  far  a  bheil  Gaidheal 
a  tha  ceilteinn  a  dhaimh  's  a  tha  feuchainn  a  thoirt  a  chreidsinn 
air  daoiue  gu  bheil  e  gle  ghallda,  cha  'n  'eil  ann  ach  creutair  bochd 
a'  salach'  a  nid  's  an  deachaidh  arach,  agus  a  di-moladh  na  carraig 
as  an  deachaidh  a  shnaidheadh.  Chuala  mi  cuid  de  'n  t-seorsa  ud 
a£  radh  : — "  Ciod  e  feum  a  bhi  cumail  suas  na  Gaidhlig — tha  i  dol 
bas  co-dhiubh — agus  ged  a  bhiodh  i  beo  re  tamuill,  ciod  e  feum  a 
tha  innte  gu  faighinn  air  aghaidh  's  an  t-saoghal  ?"  Faodaidh  e 
bhi  gu  bheil  a'  Ghaidhlig  a  basach  ach  ma  tha,  tha  i  gabhail  a 
h-uine.  Thoisich  i  ris  an  deo  a  thilgeil  ann  an  Albainn  aim  an 
laithean  Chaluim  a'  Chinn-mhoir — agus  cha  b'  e  sin  an  de — 
gidheadh  tha  i  beo  fathast.  Faodaidh  e  bhi  gu  bheil  canaineaii 
eile  ami  is  fearr  a  phaidheas,  leis  a  mo  'n  dean  daoine  dh'  airgiod. 
Ach  an  e  airgiod  crioch  araid  an  duine  1  Na  nithean  is  maisiche 
tha  ann  cha  ghabh  iad  reic  no  ceannach,  tha  iad  tbar  luach,  solus 
na  greine,  ditheana  na  macharach,  failidhean  cubhraidh  an 
t-samhraidh,  torman  nan  allt,  am  bheil  na  nithean  ud  'nan  neoni 
a  chionn  nach  urrainn  duinn  a  bhi  'g  an  reic  's  'g  an  ceannach, 
mar  gu  'n  ceannaieheadh  tu  each,  no  damh,  no  poca  cloimhe  ?  Tha 
na  nithean  tid  mar  ola  chubhraidh  air  a  dortadh  a  mach,  cha  ghabh 
a  luach  a  bhi  air  a  thomhas  aim  am  puinnd  Shasunnach  ;  agus  air 
a'  cheart  doigh  tha  luach  agus  mais  agus  brigh  ann  ar  canain 


264  Gaelic.  Society  of  Inverness. 

mhathaireal — 'na  litreachas,  'na  beul  aithris,  'na  scan-fhocail,  'na 
h-eachdraidh,  'na  ceol  a  tha  eadar-dhealaichte  bho  shalachar  an 
t-saoghail  so --agus  cha  dubhairt  mi  nach  'eil  luach  saoghalta  ami 
an  eolas  air  a'  Ghaidhlig  cuideachd.  Cha  chreid  mi  nach  biodh  e 
na  bhuannachd  do  iomadh  aon  aig  a  bheil  an  comhnuidh  an  an  tir 
nam  beann — ministearan,  doctaircan,  luchd-lagha,  maighistearan- 
s^-oile — 'nam  biodh  comas  labhairt  aca  gu  h-ealanta,  agus  gu 
gleusda  amis  a'  chainnt  a  ruigeas  cridhe  gach  Gaidheil  air  thoiseach 
air  gach  cainnt  eile.  Ach  cha  'n  e  mhain  gu  bheil  an  comunn  so  a' 
cumail  suas  canain  nan  Gaidheal,  agus  gach  ni  a  ta  air  a  chur  an 
ceill  innte,  ach  tha,  mar  an  ceudna,  co-fhaireachadh  aca  ri  'n 
luchd-duthcha  amis  a  h-uile  ni  a  bhuineas  do  'n  cor  saoghalta. 
Ciod  air  bhi  eadar  dhealachadh  bharail  a  dh'  fhaodas  a  bhi  am 
measg  buill  a'  chomuinn,  a  thaobh  na  rneadhonan  leis  am  bi 
suidheachadh  ar  co-bhraithrean  air  a  dh^iiiamh  ni 's  fearr,  tha  sinn 
a  dh'  aoin  inntinn  anns  an  durachd  gu  soirbhich  leo.  Agus  tha 
fios  againn  aims  an  linn  so  gu  'm  b;  i  an  cuis  air  a  tagairt,  agus 
nach  b'  i  an  coraichean  air  an  di-chuimhneachadh.  Roimhe  so 
bha  luchd-aiteachaidh  na  Gaidhealtachd  mar  luchd-turuis  sgith 
gun  chala  sabhailt  gu  ruithe  'g  a  ionnsuidh  aim  an  am  am  feum. 
A  nis,  tha  iad  cosmhuil  ris  an  fhtar  a  bha  's  an  sgeulachd. 
Chunuaic  iad  solas  fada  uatha,  's  'g  e  b'  fhada  uat.ha,  cha  b'  fhada 
'g  a  ruighinn.  Bhuail  iad  bas  ri  crann  dorus  mor  na  Parlamaid, 
agus  bha  iad  air  an  gabhail  a  steach  gu  aoidheachd.  Chuireadh 
uisge  bog  air  an  lamhan,  agus  uisge  bog  air  an  casan,  agus  plaid- 
eachan  mine  caola  geala  gu  cadal  annta.  Cha  'n  e  mhain  gu  bheil 
a  mal  air  isleachadh,  ach  tha  bata  na  smuide  a'  taghal  aig  gach 
port — tha  sitrich  an  eich-iarruinn  a'  dusgadh  Mac  Talla  an  iomadh 
gleann  agus  srath,  far  nach  cluinneadh  tu  roimhe  ach  langaiiaich 
an  fheidh  no  ceileireadh  nan  eun,  agus  faodaidh  tu  fios-dealain  a 
chur  gu  d'  charaid,  agus  gu  d'  namhaid  cuideachd,  na  ceudan  mile 
air  asdar  cha  mhor  ami  am  prioba  nan  sul.  Agus  tha  cinnt  againn 
nach  'eil  na  nithean  a  rinneadh  mar  tha,  ach  nan  earlas  air  na 
nithean  a  bhios  fhathast  air  an  deanamh  air  son  luchd-aiteachaidh 
na  Gaidhealtachd.  Ma  tha  cunnart  idir  ann  's  e  gu'm  bi  tuilleadh 
's  a  choir  air  a  dheananih  air  ar  son.  'S  e  so  an  cunnart  anns  am 
bhei]  araon  Goill  is  Gaidheil  air  an  latha  'n  diugh.  Tha  Pharla- 
maid  'g  an  altrum,  'g  an  arach,  agus  a'  gabhail  a  leithid  de  churam 
dhiubh.  Tha  i  cur  an  cloinne  do  'n  sgoil — a'  paigheadh  air  son  an 
teagaisg  agus  a'  deanamh  iomadh  ni  eile  air  an  son  a  b'abhaist 
doibh  a  dheanamh  air  an  son  fhein.  A  theagamh  gu'm  bu  choir 
feadhainn  bhi  ann  a  chum  daoine  dhion  bho  'n  aimideachd  fein. 
Ach  bu  choir  dhuinn  fhaighneachd,  Ciod  e  dh'  fhag  luchd-aiteach- 


Annual  Assembly.  265 

aidh  nan  eileinean  so  iomraiteach  mar  dhaoine  gaisgeil  treun  os 
cionn  gach  cinnich  eile  ?  Tlia  da  aobhar  air  a  shon.  Anns  a' 
cheud  aite  tha  spiorad  anns  an  t-sluagh  fein  a  bhuannaich  coir 
dhoibh  a  chum  's  gu  bheil  urram  air  a  thoirt  do  bhrataich  agus 
suaicheantas  Bhreatuinn  anns  gach  cearn  de  'n  t-saoghal  mhor. 
'S  ann  air  an  aobhar  so  a  tha  Bhan-righ  a  riaghladh  thairis  air 
righeachd  air  nach  'eil  feasgar  a'  ciaradh  no  grian  a'  dol  fodha. 
Ach  tha  aobhar  eile  mar  an  ceudna  air  son  cruadal  agus  treubh- 
antas  muinntir  na  righeachd  so,  agus  gu  h-araidh  luchd-aiteachaidh 
na  h-Albain,  agus  's  e  sin  gu  'n  robh  aca  ri  bhatal  a  chur,  nach  robh 
a  h-uile  ni  air  a  dheanamh  soirbh  dhoibh.  Ann  an  righeachdaii 
eile  mar  tha  an  Spainn  agus  an  Eadailt  tha  na  speuran  ni  's 
soilleire,  agus  na  siantan  ni  's  caoimhueile,  agus  an  talamh  ni  's 
sultmhoire,  agus  tha  h-uile  ni  cho  reidh  ;s  gu  bheil  daoine  ullamh  air 
fas  somalt'  agus  leasg.  Ann  am  Breatunn  agus  gu  h-araidh  an  L^ 
Albainn  bha  daoine  bho  chionn  fada  stnth  an  aghaidh  stoirm  agus 
uisge,  siantan  caochlaideach,  agus  fonn  neo-thorrach.  Agus  bha  an 
cruadal  roimh  'n  deach'  iad  a'  t arming  a  mach  an  duinealachd, 
agus  an  treubhantas  a  bha  annta.  Cha  'n  iad  na  luibhean  a  dh' 
fhasas  fo  ghloine  far  nach  ruig  oiteag  de  'n  ghaoith  no  pleoiteag 
de  'n  t-sneachd  iad  is  mo  thig  gu  ire  agus  neart,  agus  is  treise  u 
ghlacas  greim  le  'n  friamhaichean  air  an  fhonn,  ach  an  fheadhain 
a  dh'  fhasas  am  measg  reothaidh  agus  sneachd.  Agus  b'  e  so 
reuson  cudthromach  gu  'n  d'  thainig  ar  luchd-duthcha — iomadh 
aon  duibh  gu  ire  agus  gu  neart,  gu  'm  b'  eiginn  doibh  a  h-uile  ni 
a  thoirt  a  mach  le  an  luath's,  agus  an  cruas  agus  an  laidireachd 
fein.  Agus  air  an  laimh  eile  tha  cunnart  ma  bhith's  nithean  air 
an  deanamh  tuilleadh  a's  soirbh,  ma  bhios  a  h-uile  slighe  air  a 
deanamh  direach,  's  .a  h-uile  sliabh  ard  air  isleachadh,  's  a  h-uile 
garbhlach  air  a  dheauamh  reidh,  gu'n  caill  sliochd  nan  sonn  tomhas 
de  'n  ghaisgealachd  bu  dual  doibh.  Agus  feadh  's  a  tha  dochas 
againn  gu  faigh  ar  luchd-duthcha  ceartas  agus  lan-ceartas,  cha  bu 
mhaith  leinn  gu  faigheadh  iad  oirleach  a  bharrachd,  cha  bu  mhaith 
leinn  gu  'm  biodh  iad  ann  an  seadh  'sam  bith  air  an  deanamh  'nan 
dilleachda-deirce.  Ciod  air  bith  a  thachras  tha  mi  'n  dochas  nach 
fas  an  Gaidheal  meata  no  lapach,  agus  nach  fannaich  e  anns  an 
reis.  Tha  ainm  sgriobhta  le  urram  ann  an  eachdraidh  na  righ- 
eachd mar  neach  a  sheas  ann  an  uchd  an  teine  gu  bhi  dion 
coraichean  agus  dachaighean  duthaich  a  bhreith.  Cha  'n  'eil  fhios 
agam  am  bi  an  ginealach  a  tha  beo  an  diugh  air  an  gairm  gu 
leithid  so  de  strith.  Ach  tha  iad  air  an  gairm  gu  iad  fein  a 
dhearbhadh  ann  am  hatal  na  beatha  so — am  batal  is  coir  do  gach 
neach,  a  bhi  cur  ann  an  aghaidh  gach  gne  uilc  agus  mi — run,  agus 


266  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

's  e  mo  dochas  agus  mo  mhianu,  gu'n  teid  iad  air  aghaidh  anns  an 
strith  so  leis  a'  mhisneachd,  agus  leis  a'  chruadal  a  bhuinneadh  do  'n 
ghineal  bho  'n  d'  thaiuig  iad.  Bviaidh  'us  piseach  le  Comunn 
Gailig  Inbhirnis,  a  h-uile  latha  chi  's  nach  fhaic. 

A  long  and  interesting  programme,  comprising  Gaelic  and 
English  songs,  pipe  music,  and  Highland  dances,  was  gone 
through.  The  musical  programme,  taken  altogether,  was  pro- 
bably the  best  that  has  been  submitted  at  this  annual  event.  The 
pianoforte  accompaniments  were  played  with  much  taste  by  Mis& 
G.  Fraser,  Church  Street.  Dr  Macleod  proposed  a  hearty  vote  of 
thanks  to  the  speakers,  and  to  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  that 
entertained  them  that  evening.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman, 
on  the  motion  of  Provost  Ross,  brought  a  very  successful  meeting 
to  a  close. 

The  following  anniversary  poem,  doniposcd  by  the  Bard  of  the 
Society,  Mr  Neil  Macleod,  Edinburgh,  was  read  at  the  meeting  : — 

AIG    BLIADHX'    AR    FHICHEAI)    A    DH;  AOIS. 

T ha  bliadhn'  ar  fhichead  uaiuu  air  triall 
Bho  'n  chaith  an  Comuim  so  air  rian, 
Le  aireamh  bheag  de  chloinn  mo  ghaoil, 
Aig  an  robh  meas  air  tir  an  fhraoich  ; 
'S  bhoidich  iad  gu  duineil  dileas, 
A  bhi  seasmhach  mar  an  sinnsir  ; 
'S  a  bhi  'g  altruin  suas  na  Gailig, 
Oauain  aosda  tir  nan  ardbheann. 

Dh'  fhas  an  comunn  beag  so  laidir, 
Ann  an  saibhreas  's  aim  an  aireamh, 
Mar  chraoibh  a  sgaoil  a  mach  a  blath, 
Gu  do  rach  ur  fo  dhriuchd  nan  ard  ; 
Mar  fhuaran  cuisleach,  blasda,  beo, 
Ag  uisgeachadh  nam  meangan  og  ; 
Tha  'n  comunn  so  le  tuigs'  is  ciall, 
Mar  thobar  eolais,  fallain,  fiall. 

A'  dusgadh  suas  le  dealas  dian, 
Na  duain  a  bha  'n  an  suain  bho  chian, 
'S  a'  neartachadh  le  misneach  ur, 
Eachdraidh  nan  sar  'tha  cnamh  's  an  uir. 
Na  laoich  a  dhearbh  an  lamh  's  an  t-strith, 
'S  le  'n  gaisgeadh  threun  a  dhion  ar  tir ; 
Cha  leig  gach  al  a  thig  'n  an  deidh, 
Gu  brath  air  dearmad  gloir  an  euchd. 


Annual  Assembly.  267; 

Gach  buaidh  is  piseach  air  na  seoid, 

'Tha  duineil  dion  air  taobh  na  coir, 

'S  le  spiorad  rioghail  mar  bu  dual, 

A'  cuinail  cainnt  air  siunsir  suas  ; 

Gu  'n  robh  bhur  soirbheachadh  's  bhur  fas, 

A'  cinneachadh  as  ur  fo  bhlath, 

JN  'ur  comunn  fiughail  aig  gach  am, 

'S  a'  cosnadh  cliu  do  thir  nam  beann. 

0  !  'thir  nam  beann,  a  thir  mo  ghraidh, 
Ge  corrach,  gruamach,  d'  fhireach  ard, 
Is  fuaim  nan  sruth,  is  gair  nan  tonn, 
A'  barcadh  mu  do  chreagan  lorn, 
Gur  binn  leam  ceo]  do  chaochain  bras, 
A'  taoma^h  bho  na  h-aonaich  chas — 
Biodh  cainnt  do  shliochd,  is  cliu  do  shuinn, 
Gun  mheirg  gun  smal  bho  linn  gu  linn. 


21st  DECEMBER,  1892. 

Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.,  Rector,  Training's  School,  read  a 
paper  on  "Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland"  at  this  meeting. 
Mr  Macbain's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

PTOLEMY'S  GEOGRAPHY  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Ptolemy,  the  famous  Alexandrian  geographer,  flourished  in  the 
second  quarter  of  the  second  century.  Nothing  much  is  known 
of  his  personal  history,  but  his  works  on  astronomy  and  geography 
dominated  the  world  of  learning  and  research  for  a  dozen  subse- 
quent centuries.  Ptolemy  systematised  the  results  of  ancient 
research  in  these  two  subjects,  adding  some  clarifying  theories  and 
facts  of  his  own.  That  the  earth  was  a  sphere  was  a  fact  accepted 
by  the  ancient  world  of  science  ever  since  the  time  of  Aristotle, 
but  Ptolemy  was  the  first  to  produce  a  rational  plan  for  projecting 
the  sphere,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  upon  a  plane  surface.  He 
is  in  fact  our  first  real  scientific  map  maker. 

Ptolemy's  work  on  Geography  is  very  properly  entitled 
"  Instruction  in  Map-drawing  ;"  for,  of  its  eight  books,  the  second 
to  the  seventh  merely  contain  tables  of  names  of  places,  with 
longitude  and  latitude  attached,  so  as  to  be  transferred  to  the 
map.  The  first  book  gives  instructions  how  to  make  the  map, 


268  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

with  the  proper  projection.  Ptolemy  also  drew  27  maps  himself, 
and  maps  that  purport  to  be  their  descendants  are  still  found  in 
the  Ptolemy  MSS.  It  is  easy,  however,  to  see  that  the  real  value 
of  the  work  lies  in  the  tables  and  not  in  the  maps,  whose  accuracy, 
unchecked  by  the  tables,  could  never,  after  so  many  centuries  of 
copying,  be  depended  on. 

Ptolemy's  degrees  of  longitude  start  from  the  then  known 
westernmost  point  of  the  world — the  Canary  Islands  ;  his  latitude, 
of  course,  begins  from  the  Equator.  His  degree  of  latitude  was 
estimated  at  500  stadia,  which  is  one-sixth  too  small ;  his  longi- 
tude degrees  properly  enough  converge  as  he  moves  northward. 
His  northernmost  point  of  all  is  Thule,  which  he  places  in  latitude 
63  degrees.  In  regard  to  Britain  his  latitude  on  the  south  coast 
of  England  is  2  degrees  too  high,  and  by  the  time  Scotland  is 
reached  this  error  is  doubled  ;  the  SMway  Firth  is  put  down  as 
58  degrees  45  minutes,  whereas  it  is  4  degrees  less  than  this 
really. 

While  Ptolemy's  outlines  of  England  and  Ireland  are  in  a 
general  way  fairly  accurate,  the  fact  that  he  places  Scotland  at 
right  angles  to  England  gives  his  map  of  the  British  Isles  a 
grotesquely  inaccurate  appearance.  On  closer  inspection,  how- 
ever, it  will  be  found,  when  once  this  initial  error  is  allowed  for, 
that  his  outline  of  Scotland  is  as  good  as  those  for  the  two  sister 
countries.  Up  to  the  Tyne  and  Solway,  Ptolemy's  map  is  as 
accurate  as  could  be  expected  from  his  general  work  ;  but,  here, 
instead  of  continuing  Scotland  straight  to  the  North,  he  turns  it 
eastward,  exactly  90  degrees  wrong.  Many  explanations  have 
been  suggested  for  this  error ;  the  most  satisfactory  is  that  of  Mr 
Bradley,  who  thinks  that  Ptolemy  or  a  predecessor  had  England, 
Scotland,  and  Ireland  first  on  three  separate  maps,  and,  in  fitting 
them  together,  he  had  placed  Ireland  too  far  north,  and  so,  per- 
force, was  led  to  place  Scotland  at  right  angles  to  England.  In 
any  case,  latitude  and  longitude  have  shifted  places  as  far  as 
Scotland  is  concerned,  and  the  Mull  of  Galloway  is  the  furthest 
north  point  of  Scotland  according  to  Ptolemy. 

Of  course  the  text  is  often  corrupt,  different  MSS.  presenting 
different  readings.  The  latest  and  best  edition  is  that  of  Miiller 
(Paris,  1883) ;  he  has  collated  some  forty  MSS.,  and  he  gives  in 
his  notes  all  the  various  readings,  noting  the  MSS.  in  which  they 
occur.  I  have  followed  Muller's  text  in  the  translation  and 
transcription  of  Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland,  which  I  here 
present.  The  map  which  accompanies  this  paper  has  been  kindly 
prepared  by  Mr  James  Fraser,  C.E.,  Inverness.  He  has  given  the 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  269< 

latitudes  and  longitudes  of  Miiller's  text,  but  on  these  he  has 
grafted  the  more  or  less  rounded  contours  of  the  Latin  Ptolemy 
map  of  1478.  This  preserves  the  map  from  the  odd  look  which 
such  angular  reproductions  as  those  in  Captain  Thomas's  maps 
always  present,  while  accuracy,  it  is  hoped,  is  not  a  whit  sacrificed. 

After  describing  the  "  Britannic  Isle  of  Ivernia,"  that  is, 
Ireland,  Ptolemy  sets  about  describing  the  situation  of  the 
Hebrides,  which  he  places  to  the  north  of  Ireland.  Ptolemy's 
text  runs  thus  : — 

There  lie  above  Ivernia  islands  which  are  called  ^Ebudas,  five 
in  number,  the  westernmost  of  which  is  called — 

Longitude.  Latitude. 

Degs.  Mins.  Degs.  Mins. 

yEbuda  15  62 

The  next  to  it  towards  the  east  is  likewise 

^Ebuda 15  40  62 

thenRhicina 17  62 

thenMalsBus 17  30  62     30 

thenEpidium 18  30  62 

And  towards  the  east  from  Ivernia  are  these  islands  : — 

Monaoeda 17  40             61  30 

Mona  island  15  57  40 

Adru,  a  desert  island 15  59  30 

Limnu,  a  desert  island 15  59 

GEOGRAPHY    OF    THE    BRITISH    ISLAND    ALVION. 

The  description  of  the  north  side,  above  which  is  the  Ocean 

called  Dvecaledonius  : — 

Peninsula  of  the    Novantae  and 

Cape  of  the  same  name 21  61     40 

Rerigonius  Bay 20     30  60     50 

VindogaraBay 21      20  60     30 

Estuary  of  Clota 22     15  59     20 

Lemamioiiius  Gulf 24  60 

Cape  Epidium 23  60     40 

Mouth  of  the  river  Longus  2430  60     40 

Mouth  of  the  river  Itys  [Eitis]...  27  60     40 

Volas  [or  Volsas]  Bay 29  60     30 

Mouth  of  the  river  Nabarus 30  60     30 

Tarvedum  or  Orcas  Cape 31     20  60     15 

The  description  of  the  west  side,  to  which  are  adjacent  both 

the  Ivernic  Ocean  and  the  Yergionius  Ocean.  After  the  Cape  of 

the  Novantse  : — 


270  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

Mouth  of  the  river  Abravannus..     19     20  61 

Estuary  of  lena 19  60  30 

Mouth  of  the  river  Deva 18  60 

Mouth  of  the  river  Novius 18     20  59  30 

Estuary  of  Ituna 18     30  58  45 

The  description  of  the  next  sides  looking  south-east,  to  which 
is  adjacent  the  Germanic  Ocean.  After  Cape  Tarvedum  or 
Orcas,  which  has  been  mentioned  : — 

Cape  Virvedrum 31  60 

Cape  Verubium 30     30  59  40 

Mouth  of  the  river  Ila 30  59  40 

High  Bank 29  59  40 

Estuary  of  Varar  27  59  40 

Mouth  of  the  river  Loxa  27     30  59  40 

Estuary  of  T vesis *  27  59 

Mouth  of  the  river  Cselis  27  58  45 

Cape  of  the  Teezali  [Ttcxali]  27     30  58  30 

Mouth  of  the  river  Deva 26  58  30 

Estuary  of  Tava  25  58  50 

Mouth  of  the  river  Tina 24  58  30 

Estuary  of  Boderia  22     30  59 

Mouth  of  the  river  Alaunus 21     20  58  30 

Mouth  of  the  river  Vedra 20     10  58  30 

The  Novantse  dwell  along  the  north  side  below  the  Peninsula 
of  like  name,  among  whom  are  these  towns  : — 

Lucopibia 19  60  20 

Rerigonium 20     10  60  40 

Below  them  are  the  Selgovse,  among  whom  are  these  towns  :-^- 

Carbantorigum 19  59  30 

Uxellum  18     30  59  20 

Corda 20  59  40 

Trimontium 19  59 

From  these  towards  the  east,  but  more  northerly,  are  the 
Danmonii,  among  whom  are  these  towns  :— 

Colanica  20     45  59  10 

Vandogara 2.     20  60 

Coria 21     30  59  20 

Alauna 22  45  59  50 

Lindum 23  59  30 

Victoria..                                            :<3     30  59 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  271 

More  southerly  are  the  Otalini  [better  Otadini],  among  whom 
;are  these  towns  : — 

Coria 20     10  59 

Alauna  23  58     40 

Bremenium ?1  58     45 

After  the  Damnonii  towards  the  east,  but  more  northerly,  from 
Cape  Epidium  about  eastwards  are  the  Epidii,  after  whom  (the 
Cerones,  then  more  easterly)  the  Creones,  then  the  Carnonacao, 
then  the  Csereni,  and,  most  easterly  and  furthest,  the  Cornavii. 
From  the  Lemannonius  Gulf  as  far  as  the  Estuary  of  Varar  are  the 
Caledonii  and  above  them  the  Caledonian  Forest ;  from  them  more 
easterly  are  the  Decantse,  touching  whom  are  the  Lugi,and  above 
the  Lfigi  are  the  Smertae.  Below  the  Caledonii  are  the  Vacomagi, 
Among  whom  are  these  towns  :  — 

Bannatia 24  59     30 

Tamia 25  59     20 

Alata  Castra  (Winged  Camp) 27     15  59     20 

Tvesis 26     45  29     10 

Below  these  but  more  westerly  are  the  Veriicones,  among 
whom  is  this  town  : — 

Orrea 24  58     45 

More  easterly  are  the  Taezali  [Taexali]  and  their  city : — 

Devana  26  59 

Islands  lie  adjacent  to  the  Isle  of  Alvion  at  Cape  Orcas : — 

Scetis  Isle 32     40  60     45 

Dumnalsle 30  61     20 

Above  which  are  the  Orcades  Isles,  about  30  in  number, 

the  middle  of  which  is 30  61     40 

And  still  further  up  than  these  is  the  Isle  of  Thule,  the  parts 
of  which  lie — 

The  westernmost  ,     29  63 

The  easternmost 31     40  63 

The  northernmost 30     20  63     15 

The  southernmost 30     20  62     40 

The  middle  30     20  63 

I  will  examine  the  above  names  with  a  double  purpose  :  first, 
to  see  if  they,  or  the  places  they  refer  to,  can  be  traced  to  modern 
times  ;  second,  to  discover,  if  possible,  what  language  or  languages 
the  names  belonged  to.  This  last  point  practically  means  that  I 
.am  to  discuss  the  Pictish  question  from  a  linguistic  standpoint 


272  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Professor  Rhys,  as  is  well  known,  maintains  that  the  Picts  were 
non-Celtic  and  non-Aryan,  a  view  which  he  has  lately  expounded 
afresh  in  an  extraordinary  paper  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society 
of  Antiquaries,  on  the  language  of  the  Northern  Picts.  We  shall 
see  whether  Ptolemy's  names  for  the  ancient  Highlands  and  Isles 
involve  necessarily  non-Aryan  or  non-Celtic  elements.  Of  the 
above  names,  fortunately  about  two-thirds  of  them  belong  to  the 
region  of  the  Northern  Picts. 

Ptolemy,  as  we  know  from  Marcian,  called  the  British  Isles  the 
Prettanic  Islands,  but  the  MSS.  now  have  the  more  or  less  Roman 
form  of  Brettanic.  Prettania  is  the  real  old  Greek  name  of  our 
Isles,  and  it  is  clear  that  the  Roman  Brittania  is  but  a  corruption 
of  it.  Professor  Rhys  and  others  maintain  that  the  two  names 
are  separate  ;  he  says  that  Britain  got  its  Roman  name  from  the 
South  of  England  tribes,  who  called  themselves  Brittones.  But 
there  is  no  authority  for  this.  I  u.  fact,  the  name  Prettania  or 
Pretania  has  been  preserved  in  its  Brittonic  form  in  the  Welsh 
Prydain  for  Britain,  and  in  Prydyn,  the  Welsh  for  a  Pict  =  Gaelic 
Cruithne.  Gaelic  c  answers  often  to  Welsh  p,  and  consequently 
Gaelic  Cruithne,  pre-historic  Qrt-an-ic,  is  the  same  as  the  ancient 
Pretania  ;  in  short,  the  Picts  gave  their  name  to  the  British  Isles. 
Probably  they  were  the  only  Celtic  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain 
when  the  Greek  voyager  Pytheas  (circ.  300  B.C.)  visited  these 
isles.  The  name  is  allied  to  Gaelic  crut/i,  form,  appearance  ;  they 
may  have  been  called  the  "  figured"  or  "  painted"  men,  as  old 
writers  insist  they  were  so  adorned. 

Ptolemy's  Alvion  appears  in  Pliny  and  others  as  Albion  ;  he 
means  by  it  Great  Britain ;  but  the  Gaelic  population  of  both 
islands  have  always  restricted  this  name  to  Scotland — Alba,  gen. 
Alban.  We  may  compare  the  Latin  Alba  to  it;  the  Latin 
adjective  albus  signifies  white.  The  underlying  meaning  is  the 
very  common  and,  in  this  case,  appropriate  one  of  "  White-land." 
Ivernia,  "  Ireland,"  is  the  Latin  Hibernia — a  piece  of  folk  etymo- 
logising, for  Hibernia  in  Latin  means  "Winter-land"  (hibernus, 
winter).  Another  old  Greek  form  of  the  name  is  lerne,  which  is 
exceedingly  near  the  modern  Gaelic  sound.  Some  think  that  an 
initial  p  has  been  lost,  and  explain  the  name  as  Piverion,  "  Fat  or 
Rich-soiled  Land,"  Greek  Pieiria.  It  has,  however,  to  be  remem- 
bered that  several  rivers  (the  Scottish  Earns,  Find-horn,  etc.)  have 
the  same  exact  name  ;  consequently  it  is  either  the  name  of  a 
goddess,  or  a  name  applicable  to  both  "island"  and  "river." 
(Compare  the  Teutonic  ey,  isle,  from  a  root  allied  to  aqua).  Not 
only  docs  'Eire,  Ireland,  appear  in  river  names,  but  we  have  at 


4  Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  273 

least  two  other  island  names  applicable  to  rivers  and  estuaries — 
Ilea  or  Islay  and  Ptolemy's  Dumna  (compare  the  Irish  Inver- 
Domnan,  etc.,  from  the  goddess  Dumna).  Professor  Rhys,  of 
•course,  refers  Ivernia  incontinently  to  a  non-Celtic  source,  and  we 
hear  much  of  the  pre-Celtic  Ivernians. 

If  Scotland  be  shifted  back  into  its  proper  place,  the  ^budte 
Isles  will  be  to  the  west  of  it,  and  suit,  in  a  general  way,  the 
Western  Isles.  Ptolemy  has  5  ^Ebudse  ;  Pliny  says  there  are  7 
Acmodfe  (JEmodse)  and  30  Hsebudes ;  Mela  speaks  of  7  Hsemoda}. 
The  name  now  appears  resuscitated  as  Hebrides,  by  the  misreading 
•of  a  MS.  copyist.  Ptolemy  has  two  islands  of  the  same  name — 
vEbuda  or  Ebuda ;  it  is  usual,  from  their  position,  to  equate  them 
with  Islay  and  Jura  ;  but  probably  Capt.  Thomas  was  right  in 
identifying  them  with  the  two  Uists,  North  and  South.  The 
Norse  name  for  Uist  is  Ivist,  and  the  first  syllable  is  not  unlike 
the  first  part  of  Ebuda.1  Rhicina,  Pliny's  Ricina,  appears  in  a 
few  MSS.  as  Engaricina,  and  some  have  consequently  been 
tempted  to  refer  the  name  to  Egg  (Greek  Enga  may  be  Egga) ;  but 
it  seems  certainly  intended  for  Rathlin  isle — Irish  Reachrainn. 
Malseos  is,  of  course,  Mull ;  Adamnan  calls  it  Malea.  Dr  Stokes 
equates  the  root  mat  with  Albanian  mal\  height,  border ;  Lettic, 
mala,  border.  The  change  of  a  into  u  in  modern  times  is  caused 
by  the  influence  of  the  e  or  i  sound  in  the  second  syllable.  The 
Norse  name  was  Myl.  The  isle  of  Epidium  has  been  equated  by 
Skene  with  Lismore,  and  by  Captain  Thomas  with  Islay.  As  the 
name  cannot  be  separated  from  Cape  Epidium  (Kintyre),  Mr 
Bradley  thinks  that  it  is  a  bit  of  the  Mull  of  Kintyre  which  was 
inserted  on  the  Irish  map  which  Ptolemy  worked  from — one  of 
the  three  which  he  fitted  so  ill  together.  We  shall  treat  of  the 
name  Epidium  afterwards.  It  is  generally  agreed  that  Monaceda, 
Pliny's  Monapia,  is  the  Isle  of  Man  (Welsh  Manaw),  and  that 
Mona  is  Anglesey. 

Ptolemy  calls  the  Solway  Firth  the  Estuary  of  the  Ituna  ;  this 
name  is  identified  with  that  of  the  Eden  river.  Going  westwards, 
or  rather,  according  to  him,  northwards,  we  first  meet  the  river 
Novios,  the  Nith ;  the  word  is  the  Celtic  novios,  new,  Welsh 
newydd,  Gaelic  nuadh,  and  the  word  Nith  is  a  Brittonic  rendering 
of  the  old  name.  Next,  in  its  proper  order,  we  have  the  Deva  or 
Dee;  the  name  simply  means  "goddess,"  and  is  one  testimony, 
among  many,  of  the  worship  of  rivers  and  fountains,  which  Gildas 
(6th  century)  so  bitterly  complains  of.  There  are  many  Deva's 

1  Since  the  above  was  written,  Sir  Herbert  Maxwell  suggests  that  Bute 
is  the  modern  representative  of  ancient  Eboucb. 

18 


274  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

on  Celtic  soil  both  in  Britain  and  Spain.  Then  comes  the  lena,, 
but,  unlike  the  Nith  and  Dee,  the  name  is  lost,  and  the  guesses- 
made  vary  between  the  rivers  Cree  (Skene)  and  Fleet  (Thomas)' 
and  anyway  in  Wigtoun  Bay  (Muller).  The  Abravannus  is 
identified  with  Luce  river  and  bay  (Skene  and  Bradley)  and  the 
Annan  (Muller),  the  latter  on  account  of  the  similarity  of  the 
names  when  Aber  is  removed  from  Abravannus.  It  is  usual  to 
etymologise  the  name  into  the  Welsh  Aber-afon,  "river's  mouth" 
=  Mouth  of  Avon  ;  and  this  may  be  correct.  Then  we  reach  the 
Mull  of  Galloway,  three  times  its  normal  distance  away  from  the 
head  of  Solway  (Ituna),  under  the  name  of  the  Cape  of  the 
Novantee,  the  people  who  are  represented  as  inhabiting  the 
"  chersonese"  or  peninsula  which  abuts  here.  The  name  has  left 
no  modern  traces ;  the  root  seems  to  be  the  same  as  that  in 
Novios  river — "  New-comers  ?" 

Turning  northward,  or,  according  to  Ptolemy,  eastward,  we 
have  the  Rerigonius  Bay  ;  this  is  by  general  consent  set  down  as 
Loch  Ryan  ;  the  form  suits  well  enough  the  modern  name.  It 
might  be  divided  into  Re-rig-onios  "  fore-stretching,"  the  main 
root  being  the  common  one  of  reg,  stretch,  go.  The  Bay  of  Ayr  is 
represented  by  Vindogara  Sinus :  there  is  no  modern  representa- 
tive, but  the  vindo  is  the  well-known  Celtic  adjective  vindos,  white, 
a  nasalised  form  of  the  root  vid,  see.  The  -gara  may  be  parallel 
to  the  common  river  name  of  Garry — Gaelic  Garaidk,  being 
possibly  from  the  root  gar,  sound,  and  meaning  "  brawling."  The 
Clota  is,  of  course,  the  Clyde  ;  the  Gaelic  is  Cluaidh,  old  genitive 
Cluade,  Adamnan's  Cloithe,  Bede's  (Welsh)  Cluith  ;  it  is  usual  to 
refer  the  word  to  the  root  klu,  fclou,  cleanse,  the  Latin  duo, 
cleanse,  cloaca,  sewer. 

Next  comes  the  Lemannonius  Bay  :  we  may  take  this  form  as 
the  correct  one,  though  many  MSS.  have  Lelaanonius.  By 
general  consent  the  place  meant  is  recognised  as  Loch  Fyne  ; 
Muller,  Bradley,  Thomas,  and  Stokes  all  agree  on  this.  And  it 
suits  Ptolemy's  position  well  enough,  though  Loch  Long  is 
technically  more  correct,  where,  indeed,  Skene  places  it.  The 
name  still  exists  in  that  of  Lennox,  the  older  Levenax  or 
Levanach,  the  Middle  Gaelic  of  which  is  Leamhain.  The  root  is 
lem,  now  leamh,  an  elm  ;  and  we  may  compare  the  Helvetian  Lake 
Lemannus.  Some  think  that  Loch  Lomond  is  meant ;  at  anyrate, 
they  think  it  is  its  name  that  we  have  here  got  by  some  confusion 
or  other.  The  Gaelic  of  Loch  Lomond  is  Loch  Loimean,  but 
in  old  times  it  was  called  Loch  Leven,  a  name  which  in 
Ptolemy's  times  would  be  Llvona  (Lei-vo-na,  root  lei,  smooth, 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  275 

flowing,  Greek  leios1).  The  difficulty  is  not  altogether  with 
Lemannonius  Bay,  but  with  the  Longus  river,  which  Ptolemy 
places  next  after  Cape  Epidium  in  a  position  that  might 
suit,  relatively  to  the  other  two  places,  the  western  mouth 
of  the  Crinan  Canal.  Here  the  river  Add  discharges  itself  into 
the  sea ;  the  name  means  the  "  Long  River ;"  and  hence  Skene 
concluded  that  this  Long  river  was  Ptolemy's  Longus.  There  are 
several  objections  to  this  theory.  First,  it  takes  for  granted  that 
the  Gaels  were  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  about  the  year  100  ; 
this  mav  be  true.  Second,  it  is  Ptolemy's  practice  to  translate 
the  native  names  into  his  own  Greek,  as  witness  High  Bank 
and  Winged  Camp,  not  into  Latin,  as  Longus  would  imply. 
Skene  made  the  error  because  he  used  a  Latin  map  and  text,  and 
he  has  even  caused  Mr  Bradley  to  stumble  after  him.  The  name 
is  the  name  of  Loch  Long,  however  much  displaced  ;  it  means 
"Ship"  or  "Navigable  Loch,"  from  Gaelic  long,  W.  Hong.,  ship. 
In  faet,  the  Norsemen  called  this  very  firth  Skipafjordhr,  that  is, 
Ship  Fjord.  Dr  Stokes  thinks  that  Longus  is  a  Celtic  word 
cognate  with  Latin  longus ;  but  the  word  long  or  luing  is  a 
common  name  in  the  Western  Isles,  one  or  two  islands  going  by 
more  or  less  oblique  forms  of  the  name  (Lunga,  Luing,  and 
two  Longa's).  The  identification  of  Longus  River  with  Loch 
Long  implies  much  confusion  on  the  part  of  Ptolemy  or, 
rather,  of  his  informants ;  but  when  one  looks  at  the  numerous 
lochs  and  firths  and  headlands  of  the  Clyde  Firth  and  Argyllshire 
Coast,  one  need  not  wonder  that  the  Roman  sailors  blundered.  It 
is  right  to  say  that  Capt.  Thomas  identified  the  Longus  river  with 
Loch  Linnhe — An  Linne  Dubh,  or  Black  Linn.  Cape  Epidium 
(Mull  of  Kintyre),  we  shall  discuss  in  the  name  of  the  Epidii. 

Starting  from  the  Mull  of  Kintyre  and  ignoring  Longus  river, 
we  next  meet  with  Itis  or  Eitis  river,  which  fits  quite  well  as  to 
distance  from  the  Mull  with  Loch  Etive.  This  identification  has 
commended  itseif  to  Muller,  Bradley,  and,  doubtfully,  to  Captain 
Thomas.  The  name  suits  well ;  Etive  in  Modern  Gaelic  is  'Eitigh, 
in  Middle  Gaelic  Eitchi  (Story  of  Deirdre).  The  only  difficulty  is 
that,  if  the  t  was  single  between  two  vowels,  we  ought  now  to 
have  it  aspirated.  It  has,  however,  to  be  remembered  that  Etive 
is  doubtless  a  word  borrowed  into  the  Gaelic,  and  in  that  case  the 
rule  does  not  always  hold  (witness  the  early  borrow  sagart,  from 
sacerdos).  Stokes  gives  the  root  as  ei  or  *',  to  go,  as  in  Lat.  itum, 
iter,  etc.  Some  compare  the  Gaulish  Portus  Itius,  whence  Caesar 
started  for  Britain.  Skene  places  Itis  at  Loch  Carron. 

1  See  further  in  Rdiquice  Celticce,  vol.  IT,,  p.  551. 


276  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Accepting  Loch  Etive  as  Ptolemy's  Itis,  we  find  that  his 
distance  therefrom  to  the  Volsas  (Volas)  Bay  will  bring  us  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  Loch  Alsh,  a  name  that  wonderfully  fits  with 
that  given  by  the  old  geographer.  The  root  rnay  be  vel,  vol,  to 
"  well,"  "  roll ;"  German  wolle,  &  wave.  Muller,  Skene,  and 
Thomas  place  the  Volsas  Bay  at  Loch  Broom,  a  view  that  is 
tenable  enough  if  the  longitude  of  the  Varar;  Loxa,  etc.,  on  the 
east  coast  are  considered.  If  Loch  Alsh  is  the  Volsas  Bay,  then 
the  river  Nabarus,  which  is  undoubtedly  the  Naver,  is  much  too 
far  south — only  one  degree  away  from  Loch  Alsh.  Any  way  wo 
take  it,  there  must  be  a  discrepancy.  As  can  be  seen,  Ptolemy 
ignores  Cape  Wrath,  though  many  writers  think  that  this  is  his 
Tarvedum  Proniontorium,  notably  Mr  Bradley,  who  thinks  that 
Ptolemy  has  misplaced  the  Naver ;  in  fact,  he  thinks  that 
Tarvedum  and  Vervedrum  should  corn^  before  the  Naver.  But 
this  is  very  unlikely,  as  we  shall  see.  In  many  MSS.  Nabarus  is 
given  as  Nabseus,  but  there  is  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any  one 
that  the  river  is  the  Naver.  The  root  seems  to  be  nav,  swim,  etc., 
whence  navis,  a  ship  ;  in  short,  the  meaning  of  the  word  is  much 
the  same  as  we  found  in  that  of  Loch  Long.  The  Modern  Gaelic 
is  Nawir,  the  preservation,  such  as  it  is,  of  the  v  showing  a  borrow- 
ing from  the  previous  Pictish  tongue. 

After  the  Naver  comes  Cape  Tarvedum  or  Orkas,  which 
Captain  Thomas  and  Mr  Bradley  identify  with  Cape  Wrath.  Mr 
Bradley  rests  his  case  on  his  derivation  of  Vervedrum,  which  ho 
thinks  is  the  progenitor  of  Farout  in  Farout  Head — an  impossible 
derivation.  It  is  altogether  a  needless  dislocation  of  Ptolemy's 
positions  ;  he  means  the  three  or  four  heads  to  the  north  and  east 
of  Caithness — Holburn  Head,  Dunnet  Head,  Duncansby  Head, 
and  Noss  Head.  Tarvedum  is  given  by  Marcian  as  Tarvedunum, 
that  is,  Bull's  Dun  or  Fort ;  compare  the  Tarodunum  of  Gaul  with 
like  force.  The  meaning  may,  however,  simply  be  Bull's  Head. 
The  point  meant  is  either  Holburn  Head,  near  Thurso,  or  Dunnet 
Head,  also  forming  an  outpost  to  Thurso  Bay.  As  a  proof  of  our 
identification,  Thurso  itself  is  the  Norse  Thj6rsa  or  Bull's  Water ! 
With  it  may  be  compared  the  Icelandic  Thj6rsa  or  Bull's  Water  of 
modern  times.  Ptolemy  gives  the  cape  a  secondary  name — 
Orkas ;  it  seems  to  me  that  he  means  the  two  sentinel  capes  of 
Thurso  Bay — Holburn  and  Dunnet  Heads.  Duncansby  Head  is 
called  Virvedrum  Cape ;  all  writers  are  agreed  upon  this,  Mr 
Bradley  excepted.  He  thinks  that  Farout  Head  is  meant ;  he 
analyses  Vir-vedrum  into  the  preposition  ver,  the  Gaulish  form  of 
the  Gaelic  for  or  far,  Lat.  s-uper,  Greek  uper ;  it  means  "upon" 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  277 

or  "  exceeding."  The  vedrum  he  equalises  with  the  Pictish  fothar, 
appearing  in  Dunottar  (Simon  of  Durham's  Dum-foeder).  The  vir 
is  doubtless  the  prep,  ver ;  but  vedrum  can  hardly  be  fothar,  for 
the  latter  word  itself  is  simply  a  prefix  word — a  preposition,  seem- 
ingly of  like  meaning  with  Gaelic  for.  The  Wear  river  is  called 
by  Ptolemy  Vedra ;  and  Dr  Stokes  suggests  a  connection  with 
0.  Slavonic  Vedru,1  clear.  This  would  give  a  meaning  in  each 
case  of  Cape  Clear  and  Clear  River,  which  are,  as  to  signification, 
quite  satisfactory.  Cape  Verubium,  or  Noss  Head,  also  contains 
the  prep,  ver  ;  the  root  ub  has  been  happily  referred  by  Stokes  to 
the  Irish  word  ubh,  sword-point,  doubtless  allied  to  the  English 
weapon  (root  veb,  ub).  This  would  give  the  meaning  of  the  word 
Verubium  as  "  Sword  Head." 

Turning  now  southward,  or  westward  according  to  Ptolemy,  we 
come  to  the  river  Ila.  By  almost  common  consent  this  is  regarded 
as  the  Helmsdale  River,  called  in  Gaelic  Ilidh,  Eng.  Ulie,  Sir  Rob. 
Gordon's  Vlly.  The  name  Ila  is  common  as  a  river  name  in  Scot- 
land (spelt  Isla  usually),  and  there  is  also  the  Island  of  Islay  so 
named.  In  this  we  must  remember  the  parallel  case  of  Erinn  in 
being  used  both  for  rivers  and  for  the  Island  of  Ireland.  Stokes 
suggests  a  reference  to  the  root  in  German  eilen,  to  hasten,  go. 
Skene  draws  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  syllable  il  enters 
largely  into  Basque  topography.  A  degree  (of  longitude)  further 
south  is  "  High  Bank,"  which  Skene  identifies  with  the  hills  north 
of  the  Dornoch  Firth,  but  which  most  writers  regard  as  the  Ord  of 
Caithness  misplaced.  It  is  likely  the  Ord  of  Caithness  that  i§ 
meant,  and  some  seek  the  Ila  north  of  it  in  the  Latheron  district, 
but  without  success.  Berriedale  Water  may  have  also  once  been 
an  Isla  ;  witness  the  North  and  South  Esks.  The  Varar  Estuary 
is  undoubtedly  the  Inverness  and  Beauly  Firth.  The  name  still 
exists  in  the  River  Farrar,  and  glen  of  Strath-farrar.  The  root  is 
var,  which  may  mean  "  winding,"  "  bending  ;"  compare  Lat.  varus, 
varius.  We  are  now  at  the  innermost  corner  of  the  Moray  Firth ; 
and  it  may  be  remarked  that  Ptolemy  has  a  wonderfully  accurate 
account  of  this  part,  indeed  of  the  whole,  of  the  eastern  coast  of 
Scotland. 

The  river  Loxa  is  represented  as  in  the  same  parallel  (that  is, 
longitude)  as  Varar,  but  half  a  degree  to  the  north.  That  is  how 
the  best  MSS.  have  it ;  other  MSS.  place  the  Loxa  between  High 
Bank  and  Varar,  equating  it  with  the  Cromarty  Firth  (Captain 
Thomas),  or  the  Loth,  an  insignificant  river  in  Loth  Parish 

1  Root  rid,  see,  as  in  Gaelic  fionn,  white.  But  ved,  wet,  suits  the  phonetics 
better. 


278  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

( Bradley).     The  Loxa  ought  naturally  to  be  the  Nairn  by  position  ; 
but  the  name  is  identified  by  Skene,  Stokes  and  others  with  that 
uf  the  Lossie,  far  away  from   Ptolemy's  place  for  it  on  the  map. 
The  phonetic  difficulty  here  is  a  racial  one  ;  from  an  early  Pictish 
3;  we  should  expect  a  later  cA,  that  is,  if  the  Pictish  was  a  Brittonic 
language  and  treated  x  as  the   other  Brittonic  languages   did. 
Compare  Ochil  of  the  Ochil  Hills  and  the  Welsh  uchel,  high,  Gaelic 
iiasal,  Gaulish  uxellos.     The  form  lok-s  may  be  from  one  or  two 
roots,  and  may  mean  "  oblique,"  "  shining,"  etc.     Measuring  from 
Varar,  we  should  put  the  Tvesis   Estuary   about  Culleri ;  it  is 
doubtless  the  mouth  of  the  Spey  that  is  meant.     On  this  all  the 
authorities  are  agreed.     The  names  seem  also  allied  ;  Spey,  Gaelic 
Spe,  may  come  from   Spesi-s  or  Speisi-s,  a  Celtic  sqvei,  to  vomit ; 
Gaelic   sgeith,   Welsh    chwyd,    vomo ;  compare    for  force  the   old 
Italian  river   Vomanus.      Ptolemy's  tv  initial   is  an  attempt  to 
reproduce  the  initial  Pictish  sound  which  has  now  settled  into  the 
very  non-Gaelic  form  of  sp  in  Spey.     Half-way  between  Spey  and 
Kinnaird   Head  is  the  Caelis   (Greek  kailis)    River,    or  Celnius, 
which  suits  the  position  of  the  important  river  Doveran  or  Deveron, 
but  which  in  name  fits  Cullen  and  Cull  en  Water  (Welsh  makes 
original  ai  into  u ;  hence   Kailnios,  which   two  MSS.  give,  repre- 
sents admirably  a  latter  Cullen).     Doveran  is  a  Gaelic  name  and 
a  late  one ;  as  the  earlier  form  Duffhern  shows,  it   means  the 
Black  Earn  opposed  to  the  Findhorn  or  White  Earn.     The  root 
kail  is  in  modern  Gaelic  caol,  narrow.     Kinnaird's  Head  is  called 
the  Cape  of  the  Tsezali  or    Tsexali  (Taixali),  a  name  that  should 
produce   in  later  times  a    Pictish  (British)  Tuch-al  or  a  Gaelic 
Taosal ;  the  parish  of  Tough  in  mid  Aberdeenshire  ideally  repre- 
sents the  British  form  of  the  root. 

Turning  southward,  we  come  to  the  River  Deva,  now  the  Dee. 
Skene  accepts  the  bad  reading  of  one  MS.,  which  gives  Liva  or 
Leva,  and  identifies  it  with  the  North  Esk.  Next  comes  the 
Estuary  of  the  Tava,  the  Tavaus  of  Tacitus,  which  in  position 
suits  the  Esk,  but  in  name  and  in  reality  means  the  Tay.  The 
name  Tava  appears  on  Brittonic  ground  in  the  Devon  Tavy  and 
the  Welsh  Tawe,  and  there  is  a  Welsh  adjective  taw,  signifying 
"  quiet,"  "  gentle,"  to  which  Gluck  equates  the  Gaulish  Tavia, 
Tavium,  and  the  woman's  name  Tavena.  Between  the  Tay  and 
the  Forth  Ptolemy  places  the  river  Tina  or  Tinna ;  by  position,  of 
course,  it  suits  the  Tay  best.  The  river  meant  is  the  Eden,  which 
makes  a  considerable  bay  near  St  Andrews.  Many  think  that"  th'u 
Tyne,  of  Newcastle,  is  meant,  but  this  is  unlikely,  because  this 
portion  of  the  coast  was  possibly  the  one  best  known  to  the  Roman 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  279 

fleets,  as  we  can  easily  guess  from  Agricola's  campaign.  If  it  be 
the  Eden,  then  the  remarks  on  the  Eden  from  which  we  started 
may  apply  to  its  derivation.  Otherwise  Tina  or  Tinna  may  be 
referred  to  the  root  ten,  stretch,  pull,  Welsh  tyn. 

The  Estuary  of  Boderia  is  undoubtedly  the  Firth  of  Forth  ' 
this  name  Tacitus  gives  as  Bodotria.      By  combining  the  tw  ,. 
readings  we   may  arrive  at  a   form  Bodertia,  the  first  portion   .c 
which  may  be  the  well-known  Pictish  form  Fother,  so  common 
place-names  as  a  prefix,    latterly  dwindling   into   For    (cornpare 
Fothuirtabhaicht,   now   Forteviot,    Fordun  from   Fotherdun), 
provected  in  Scotch   to    Fetter  (Fettercairn,   Fetteresso).     It    J 
possibly  terminal  in  Dunottar,  anciently  Duin  Foither,  Oppidum 
Fother,   Dun  feeder  (Simon   of  Durham  for  latter).     Dr  Stok 
suggests  a  connection  with   Irish  foithre^  woods  ;  but  the  Picti8 
/other  points  as  likely  to  an  older  voter,  a  comparative  form  of  t"e 
prep,  vo,   under,  and   comparable  to  a  Greek  upoteros.     The  o 
Picto-Celtic  form  of  Forth  may  have   been  Vo-ter-tia,  which  wit 
the  hardening  of  the  v  and  the  softening  of  the  t  (to  rf),  whic 
were  in  process  probably  as  early  as  the  first  century,  would  give 
us  the  /foderia  or  jBodotria,  of  the  Classical  writers.     Forth  seem8 
to  be  the  descendant  of  the  word  which  Bodotria  stands  for.     The 
12th  century  writer  of  "De  Situ  Albaniae"  says  the  river  is  called 
Froch  in  Gaelic  (Scottice)  and  Werid  in  Welsh  (Britannice) — Eng. 
Scottewatre,  that  is,  Scottish  Sea.     In  two  Irish  versions  of  a  poem 
on  the  Picts,  added  to  the  Irish  mediaeval  Nennius,  we  are  told 
the  Picts  took  Alba  "  0  crich  Cat  co  Foircu  (or  Foirchiu),"  that  is, 
•"  from    the    bounds   of    Caithness   to    Forth."      Zeuss   compares 
Bodotria  to  the  form   buadarthe^  turbulentus,  applied  to  a  stream 
in  an  old   Irish  gloss,  and  no  doubt  a  shorter  form  of  the  word 
luadar,   that  is,   bodar,   would   do ;  but  then  the  modern  name 
Forth,   which  seems   connected  with   the    Classical  names,   must 
receive  a  separate  explanation. 

The  next  point  on  the  coast  noticed  by  Ptolemy  is  the  mouth 
of  the  river  Alaunus;  the  river  named  is  the  Alne  of  North- 
umberland, surely  insignificant  compared  to  the  Tweed,  which  is 
ignored.  Captain  Thomas  suggests  that  the  Tweed  is  meant  but 
the  Alne  named.  In  a  similar  way,  the  Tyne  is  passed  unmen- 
tioned,  while  the  Wear  is  taken,  under  the  name  of  Vedra.  For 
its  derivation,  see  Cape  Vervedrum.  There  was  another  Alaunus  in 
the  south  of  England,  identified  with  the  Axe,  and  two  cities  in 
France  and  two  in  Britain  called  Alauna.  There  are  at  least 
three  Scotch  rivers  called  Allan,  and  this  is  supposed  co  be  the 
modern  form  of  ancient  Alaunos,  or,  the  more  Celtic,  Alauna. 


280  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

There  is  a  Welsh  Alun  river,  and  the  Cornish  Camel  is  also  known 
as  the  Alan.  The  word  likely  divides  into  Al-auna,  and  possibly 
the  root  is  pal,  as  in  Latin  pahu,  marsh. 

Let  us  now  consider  the  sixteen  or  seventeen  tribes  that 
Ptolemy  divides  Scotland  among.  The  Novantae  occupied  Wigton  ; 
we  have  already  regarded  them  as  the  "  New-comers,"  root  nov, 
new.  Eastward  to  the  head  of  the  Solway  lay  the  Selgova),  whose 
name  still  survives  in  Solway  Firth  ;  the  root  is  selg,  which  in  the 
Celtic  tongues  means  "  hunting ;"  the  Selgovec  were  the  "  Hunts- 
men." The  great  tribe  of  the  Damnonii  occupied  the  counties  of 
Ayr,  Lanark,  Renfrew,  Dumbarton,  Stirling,  Mcnteith  and  Foth- 
rcve  or  the  western  portion  of  Fife  (Skene).  They  are  generally 
in  name  regarded  the  same  as  the  Dumnonii  of  ancient  Devon,  to 
which  they  gave  that  name.  Prof.  Rhys  calls  the  Damnonii  a 
Brythonic  people,  and  finds  remains  of  their  name  in  that  of  the 
river  Devon  in  Perthshire.  If  the  Damnonii  are  in  name  the 
same  as  the  Durnnonii,  the  root  is  the  very  common  Celtic  one  of 
Dumnos  or  Dubnos,  "  world,"  the  modern  Gaelic  dom/ian,  allied  to- 
Eng.  deep.  East  of  the  Selgovse  and  Damnonii  lay  the  Otadini 
(long  o),  along  the  east  coast  from  the  Wear  to  the  Firth  of  Forth, 
if  not  into  Fife  !  So  awkwardly  does  the  town  Alauna  fit  the 
position  of  the  Estuary  of  Boderia  that  the  situation  of  the  town 
suits  only  the  isle  of  Inchkeith.  Otalini  is  the  reading  of  five 
good  MSS.,  Otadini  or  Otadeni  that  of  15,  and  Tadini  or  Gadeni 
that  of  some  others.  The  preferable  reading  is  Otadini,  which 
suits  the  old  Welsh  name  of  the  Lothian  district,  viz.,  Guotodin. 

While  the  tribes  we  have  just  enumerated  are  said  to  have 
possessed  towns,  which  are  duly  named  and  "  positioned,"  a  matter 
which  helps  the  identification  of  the  tribal  localities,  the  next  ten 
tribes  arc  slumped  together  townless,  and  with  little  or  no  guidance 
as  to  their  position.  First  come  the  Epidii,  touching  the  Damnonii 
to  the  north- west,  and  starting  from  Cape  Epidium,  as  Ptolemy 
says.  We  may  assign  them  Kintyre  and  Lorn.  The  name  is 
from  the  root  epo-,  the  Gaulish  for  "horse,"  Gaelic  each.  The 
ancient  Gaelic  name  would  have  been  Eqidios  ;  indeed  the  name 
exists  in  Adamnan's  personal  name,  Echodius  and  the  later 
Eachaidh,  which  in  Gaelic  passed  into  Eachuinn.  Dr  Stokes, 
however,  thinks  the  root  is  pefcu,  cattle,  Lat,  pecu  ;  he  would  give 
the  oldest  form  as  (p)ekvidioi,  "  cattle-holders,"  the  later  Irish 
personal  name  being  Eochaid ;  but  the  other  derivation  seems  the 
right  one,  for,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  root  peku  appears  nowhere 
else  in  Celtic.  Next  are  the  Cerones  or  Creones,  for  the  MSS. 
differ  as  to  whether  these  were  two  or  one  people.  The  root  of 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  28} 

the  name  is  either  Jeer  or  kre  ;  it  is  a  root  of  several  meanings,  the 
chief  one  of  which  is  to  "  cut,  divide,  throw."  Various  authorities 
see  remains  of  the  name  in  the  West  Coast  loch  names — such  as 
Crinan,  Creran,  etc.,  also  Carron,  Keiarn,  Kearon.  Captain 
Thomas  extends  them  from  Crinan  to  Loch  Leven,  and  finds  the 
name  in  Creran.  The  Carnouacie,  according  to  most  writers, 
occupied  Wester  Ross,  and,  of  course,  Loch  Carron  has  been 
equated  with  the  name.  The  true  derivation  seems  to  be  earn, 
"  a  hill,''  common  to  all  the  Celtic  tongues  ;  they  were  the  men  of 
the  "  Rough-bounds,"  or  Garbh-chriochan — the  "  Cairn-men." 
The  use  of  Cam  or  Cairn  for  mountain  names  is  peculiar 
to  Pictland  and  Wales.  Dr  Stokes  connects  the  8th  cen- 
tury name  Monith  Carno,  the  scene  of  a  battle  between 
two  rival  Pictish  kings,  fought  in  729,  near  Loch  Lochy  (*?). 
The  Csereni,  or,  properly,  Caireni,  may  be  placed  in  Western 
Sutherland  up  to  near  the  Naver.  The  root  cair  is  that  of 
*cairax,  the  modern  caora,  sheep ;  compare  the  Cseroesi  of 
Gaul.  Animal  names  giving  names  to  persons  or  nations  is  not  an 
uncommon  phenomenon.  The  Cornavii  occupied  Caithness,  the 
"  horn"  or  corn  of  Scotland.  There  were  Cornavii  between  the 
Dee  and  the  Mersey  in  England,  and  Cornwall  still  holds  the 
name,  standing  for  Corn-Wales,  "the  Welsh  of  the  Horn." 

Neighbours  to  the  Cornavii  southwards  were  the  Lugi, 
occupying  easter  Sutherland.  Around  Loch  Shin  were  the- 
Smertse,  and  Easter  Ross  was  occupied,  up  to  the  Varar  Estuary, 
by  the  Decantte.  The  root  lug  of  the  name  Lugi  appears  in 
many  Celtic  names,  both  on  the  Continent  and  in  Ireland.  Indeed^ 
there  was  a  Lugi  tribe  in  Mid-Germany  contemporary  with  the 
Highland  Lugi.  The  god  of  light  and  arts  among  the  Gael  was. 
called  Luga  of  the  Long  Arms  ;  and  the  old  name  of  Lyons  was 
Lugdunum,  explained  by  an  old  glossary  as  "  desiderate  monte  "" 
— the  desirable  town.  Dr  Stokes  refers  the  root  lug  to  a  Celtic  base- 
corresponding  to  Ger.  loken,  allure,  Norse  lokka.  In  that  case  the 
Norse  god  Loki  is  Aryan  cousin,  probably,  to  Luga,  though  the 
former  is  the  god  of  evil  enticement,  while  the  Celtic  Lug  is; 
alluring  by  good.  The  Smertie  or  Mertso  also  shows  a  common 
root ;  we  have  the  personal  names  Smertalos  (Cumberland 
inscription),  Smertulitanos,  Smertomara,  Ad-smerios,  etc.  ;  and^the 
goddess  Minerva  of  the  Gauls,  called  Ro-smerta.  These  Dr  Stokes 
refers  to  the  root  smer,  to  shine.  The  Decantsc  are  paralleled  by 
an  ancient  people  of  North  Wales — theljDecanti,  or  DecangiJ(^ 
now  Degannwy.  The  name  seems  also  to  be  found  on  the 
Ogam  inscriptions  as  Deceti ;  there  is  also  the  Decetia  of  Caesar, 


282  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Dr  Stokes  gives  the  root  as  dec,  Latin  (tccus,  glory,  Eng.  decorous. 

The  Caledonii  or  Caledonians  are  definitely  located  ;  they 
stretched,  says  Ptolemy,  from  Leniann  Bay  to  the  Estuary  of 
Varar — from  Loch  Fyne  to  the  Inverness  Firth  ;  above  them,  that 
is,  west  of  them,  is  the  Caledonios  Drumos  or  Forest.  This  last, 
as  Skene  said,  is  Drum  Alban  and  the  western  Grampians.  A  line 
from  Loch  Fyne  to  Inverness  goes  right  along  Drum  Alban  for 
half  the  way  ;  in  fact,  the  district  so  defined  is  an  impossible  one 
for  two  reasons.  The  Caledonians  wrere  east  of  Drum  Alban  ; 
secondly,  Dunkeld,  which  most  writers  allow  as  containing  their 
name,  shews  that  Perthshire  was  occupied  by  them.  In  fact,  the 
Caledonians  inhabitated  Perthshire  and  caster  Inverness.  Much 
discussion  has  raged  round  the  name,  and  authorities  are  by  no 
means  agreed  yet.  Professor  Windisch  gave  as  the  root  of  Cale- 
donian the  form  Cald-onios  ;  the  root  cald  in  Gaelic  and  Welsh 
means  ''wood" — Gaelic  cufle,  Welsh  celli.  Hence  Caldonii  or 
Caledonii  meant  "  Woodlauders."  As  a  further  proof,  the  name 
Dunkeld  is  in  old  Gaelic  Dun  Caldeu,  now  Dun-Chaillimi  ;  and 
there  is  also  the  mountain  Sidh-Chaillinn  in  mid  Perthshire.  The 
combined  sound  Id  was  separated  by  the  Romans  and  a  vowel  e 
introduced  ;  this  was  mistakenly  lengthened  by  Ptolemy  and  his 
imitators.  The  Welsh  forms  show  Celidon,  but  are  evidently 
founded  on  the  Latin  pronunciation  of  Cabdonia.  Dr  Stokes 
separates  Caledonii  from  both  Dun  Gulden  and  from  cald,  coille, 
wood,  He  cannot  agree  that  the  root  in  Caledonia  can  be  Caldeu 
and  cald.  Professor  Rhys,  on  the  other  hand,  allows  that  Dun 
Calden  contains  the  name  Caledonia,  but  he  denies  that  either  can 
be  of  Celtic,  origin,  much  less  akin  to  the  root  cald.  The  Dve- 
Caledonian  Sea  or  Western  Ocean  has  a  puzzling  name  ;  the  dve 
has  been  explained  as  meaning  "  two."  This  postulates  two  Cale- 
donias,  and  this  there  was,  if  Perthshire  was  their  southern  and 
Inverness-shire  their  northern  seat,  and  according  to  all  evidences 
the  Caledonians  were  an  inland  people  :  it  is  difficult  to  understand 
how  they  could  have  given  their  name  to  the  Western  Ocean, 
unless,  indeed,  the  northern  half  occupied  all  Inverness-shire,  west 
as  well  as  east.  In  the  wars  of  Severus  so  important  were  the 
Caledonians  become  that  only  they  alone  are  mentioned  for  the 
northern  Highlands,  the  other  tribe  being  the  Mteatse,  near 
Agricola's  wall. 

The  Vacomagi,  according  to  Ptolemy,  occupied  territory  east  of 
the  Caledonians  and  coterminous  with  theirs  throughout.  What 
suits  his  figures  is  the  stretch  of  country  which  begins  on  the 
Moray  Firth  with  Elgin  and  Banff,  includes  Western  Aberdeen- 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  283 

shire  and  Perthshire,  or,  at  least,  the  eastern  portion  of  it.  One  of 
their  four  towns — Bannatia — would  fall  about  the  Earn  or  Almond, 
near  Crieff,  while  the  northernmost  town  is  identified,  probably 
rightly,  with  Burghead,  and  is  called  "  Winged  Camp."  The 
name  Vacomagi  has  been  explained  by  Mr  Bradley  and  Professor 
Rhys  as  "  men  of  the  open  plains,"  in  opposition  to  the  Caledonian 
Woodlanders.  The  stretch  of  country  allotted  to  them  by  Ptolemy, 
intersected  as  it  is  with  the  Grampians  and  its  south-tending 
spurs,  would  hardly  gain  them  this  name;  but  possibly  they  really 
occupied  Forfar,  West  Aberdeen  onwards  to  the  Moray  Firth, 
leaving  Perthshire  to  the  Caledonians.  As  to  the  derivation,  the 
form  vacos  is  very  common  in  Celtic  names,  both  as  prefix  and 
affix,  but,  as  Gluck  remaiked,  its  meaning  is  obscure.  The  Welsh 
gwdg,  empty,  which  Mr  Bradley  and  Professor  Rhys's  derivation 
brings  forward  as  a  parallel,  is  apparently  borrowed  from  Latin  ; 
Dr  Stokes,  however,  allows  it  as  a  native  word  in  his  Comparative 
Dictionary,  just  published  The  form  magi  may  be  equated  with 
old  Gaelic  mag,  plain,  now  magk.  No  trace  of  such  a  name  as 
Vacomagi  now  exists.  The  Tsexali  of  Aberdeenshire  we  have 
already  discussed ;  and  Ptolemy's  only  other  tribe  is  the 
Ven(n)icones,  or  Venicomes ;  this  name  is  found  also,  but  only 
once  or  twice,  as  Vernicomes.  They  occupied  Easter  Fife,  and 
perhaps  stretched  northward  into  Forfar ;  Ptolemy  makes  them 
and  the  Taexali  fill  the  whole  coast,  apparently,  from  Kinnaird 
Head  to  Fife  Ness.  Modern  editors  prefer  Vernicones  as  the 
name  of  this  people  ;  Professor  Rhys  once  explained  the  name  as 
"  Marsh-hounds,"  adducing  the  Welsh  gwern,  a  swamp,  and  cwn, 
hounds,  as  complete  parallels.  It  may  be  remarked ^that  "dog  " 
names  were  common  and  popular  among  the  Gaelic  Celts,  and  the 
derivation  is,  therefore,  not  to  be  rejected  on  any  idea  that  such 
a  name  would  be  insulting.  But  verno  may  also  mean  "  good  "  and 
"  alder,"  and,  then,  there  is  the  terminal  comes  as  against  cones  in 
the  MS.  readings.  Possibly  Professor  Rhys's  derivation  is  the  best 
one.  If  we  take  Ven  instead  of  Vern,  then  we  have  the  well- 
known  Celtic  root  for  "kin,"  "friends,"  Gaelic  fine,  seen  in  names 
like  Veiieti,  etc. 

Ptolemy  mentions  21  towns  as  existent  in  Scotland  in  his  time; 
they  are  mostly  in  the  south,  the  Highland  tribes  having  none,  we 
may  say.  What  exactly  Ptolemy  meant  by  his  "  towns  "  it  is  hard 
to  say,  for  of  regular  towns  in  a  Roman  sense  there  were  none. 
Possibly  defensive  positions — the  duna  or  fortified  hills  and  the 
strongholds  in  woods  or  by  rivers — are  meant ;  and  certainly 
within  the  lines  of  Roman  conquest  and  campaigning  the  "  towns ' 


284  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

appear  to  have  been  so  many  Roman  positions  taken  up  and  occupied 
by  Roman  camps  and  forts  ;  witness  such  a  name  as  Victoria, 
the  position  of  which  is  naturally  assigned  to  some  place  in  Perth, 
or  Fife  that  presents  prominent  Roman  remains.  Hence  we  may 
account  for  so  many  towns  being  named  by  the  rivers  on  which 
they  were  placed;  the  town,  as  it  were,  was  "the  Camp  on  the 
Allan  "  or  whatever  river  it  may  have  been.  Again  Ptolemy  is 
very  inaccurate  in  his  account  of  the  position  of  the  towns,  even 
in  England.  Says  Mr  Bradley  : — "  No  reliance  can  be  placed  on 
any  of  Ptolemy's  indications  of  the  position  of  inland  places  not 
otherwise  known  to  us  ;  and  the  limits  of  the  tribal  territories  are 
dependent  almost  entirely  on  the  situation  of  the  towns.  Under 
these  circumstances,  it  does  not  seem  that  Ptolemy's  internal 
geography  of  Britain  is  likely  to  repay  the  trouble  of  a  minute 
examination."  The  case  in  Scotland  is  much  worse  than  with 
England  ;  there  certain  names  are  recognisable,  but  in  Scotland  no 
town  name  has  survived  from  Ptolemy's  time.  In  these  circum- 
stances, we  shall  pass  them  in  very  brief  review. 

The  Novantae  had  two  towns — Lucopibia  and  Rerigonium. 
The  former  is  placed  by  Skene  at  Whithorn,  once  St  Ninian's 
Candida  Casa.  The  Inco  of  Lucopibia  means  "white"  in  Greek 
and  "  shining"  in  the  Brittonic  languages  ;  so  that  the  English, 
Latin,  and  Greek  are  all  translations  or  adaptations  (Greek)  of  the 
Celtic  original.  Others  see  the  name  preserved  in  Luce  and  Glen 
Luce,  and  transfer  the  town  to  the  latter  place.  Rerigcnium  was 
on  Loch  Ryan,  doubtless,  where  Roman  works  can  still  be  seen. 
The  Selgovae  had  four  towns — one  was  Carbantorigon,  possibly  at 
the  Moat  of  Urr,  between  the  Nith  and  the  Dee  (Skene) ;  Rhys 
thinks  the  name  is  a  Celtic  degradation  of  Carbantorion,  "  chariot 
town,"  for  Garbanton  meant  "  chariot."  Uxellum  or  "  High-town" 
(Welsh,  uchel ;  Gaelic,  uas,  uasal)  may  have  been  Wardlaw  Hill,  ak 
Caerlaverock  (Skene) ;  while  Corda,  whose  derivation  is  doubtful, 
was  possibly  at  or  about  Sanquhar.  Trimontium,  or  "  Three 
Mount,"  suits  the  Eildon  Hills  for  meaning,  but  Skene,  for  position 
and  for  the  Roman  works  there,  places  it  at  Birrenswark. 

The  Damnonii  had  six  towns — the  first  town  is  Colania,  near 
the  sources  of  the  Clyde,  making  a  frontier  post  on  a  northward 
march;  second,  Coria,  which  Skene  places  at  Carstairs,  where 
numerous  remains,  both  Roman  and  Native,  have  been  found; 
third,  Vindogara,  whose  derivation  we  discussed  already,  which 
may  have  been  at  London  Hill,  in  Ayrshire,  where  remains  of  a 
Roman  camp  exist;  fourth,  Alauna,  which  Skene  places  at  the 
unction  of  the  Allan  and  Forth,  and  which  would  form  a  defence- 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  285 

against  a  foe  advancing  into  Caledonia.  It  was  somewhere  on  the 
Allan  ;  Rhys  places  it  at  the  famous  Ardoch,  near  the  Allan.  The 
fifth  town  is  Lindum,  which  Skene  places  at  Ardoch  :  the  word 
means  "  water,  linn ;"  for  name  Lindum  would  suit  Lin-lithgow 
best.  The  town  of  Victoria,  which,  in  Celtic,  would  be  Boudica  or 
Pictish  Budic,  must  have  been  a  Roman  station,  possibly  at  Lake 
Orr,  in  Wester  Fife  (Skene),  where  Roman  remains  exist. 

The  Otadini  had  three  towns  :  first,  Coria,  which  is  variously 
placed  at  Peebles  and  at  Carby  Hill,  Liddesdale  (Skene)  ;  second, 
another  Alauna,  which,  as  was  said,  suits  Inchkeith  by  position, 
but  is  possibly  AlnwicK  misplaced.  Bremenion,  whose  root  brew 
means  "  roaring,"  is  placed  by  Skene  at  High-Rochester  in  Redes- 
dale,  where  traces  of  the  Romans  still  exist. 

We  are  on  the  confines  of  the  Highlands,  if  not  actually  in 
them,  when  we  come  to  the  Vacomagi.  In  any  case  they  were 
a  great  Pictish  tribe.  They  had  four  towns  :  first,  Bannatia  or 
Banatia,  which  is  variously  placed  on  the  Earn  at  Strageath,  the 
Almond  at  Buchanty  (Skene,  Rhys),  or  the  Garry  in  Atholl 
(Thomas).  The  editor  of  the  Monumenta  Historica  Britannicd, 
places  it  at  Inverness  and  Bona.  The  root  ban  or  bann  is  found 
often  on  Celtic  ground  :  it  means  "  white,"  "milk,"  "bond,"  etc. 
The  second  town  is  Tamia,  which  Skene  places  on  the  isle  of  Inch- 
tuthill  in  the  Tay,  where  numerous  remains  exist ;  the  root  tarn 
is  common,  especially  for  river  names,  and  possibly  means  "dark." 
The  "  Winged  Camp"  is  by  common  consent  allocated  to  Burg- 
head  ;  while  Tvesis  is  placed  by  Skene  at  Boharm  on  the  Spey, 
for  it  is  but  the  river  name  used  as  a  town  name. 

The  Vernicones  have  been  allocated  only  one  town — Orrea, 
which  has  been  variously  placed  by  modern  writers — at  the 
junction  of  the  Orr  and  Leven  in  Fife  (Rhys),  at  Abernethy 
(Skene),  and  at  Forfar  (Thomas).  Somewhere  on  the  Orr  seems 
besk  Skene  has  suggested  that  Orr,  the  river  name,  is  connected 
with  Basque  Ur,  water;  so,  he  thinks,  are  the  several  rivers  of  similar 
mames  which  we  have — Oure,  lire,  Urie,1  Orrin,  and  Ore.  This 
should  delight  Prof.  Rhys.  The  root  or,  however,  is  a  good  Aryan 
one,  and  signifies  to  "  run,"  "  start ;"  the  Norse  orr  means  swift ; 
and  the  root  por,  which  also  in  Celtic  results  in  or,  gives  like 
meanings — "  passing  through,  eto."  The  Tsexali  are  represented 
as  having  one  town — Devana.  Skene  places  this,  mostly  because 

1  The  u  in  most  of  these  cases  is  long.  Inver-urie  appears  in  1300  a* 
Inver-vwry,  though  the  modern  spelling  existed  ia  1199.  The  derivation 
.suggested  is  from  iubhar,  the  yew,  the  Gaulish  Ebiiro,  which  appears  in  so 
many  ancient  names  of  places,  rivers,  and  peoples. 


286  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

of  similarity  of  name,  at  Loch  Daven,  near  Ballater.  The 
phonetics  are  unsatisfactory  in  two  ways  ;  the  a  does  not  corres- 
pond to  e  in  Devana,  and  it  is  unlikely  that  v  could  be  preserved 
in  such  a  unique  word.  In  fact,  the  v  has  disappeared  out  of  the 
name  Deon,  the  Don  now,  from  which  Aberdeen  has  its  name. 
The  Gaelic  is  Dian,  for  ancient  Dlvona.  or  rather  Deivona.  This 
is  undoubtedly  Ptolemy's  word  as  well,  and  possibly  Aberdeen,  or 
rather  Old  Aberdeen  is  meant.  The  name  means  "  goddess,"  and 
is  found  in  Gaul  ;l  for  the  idea  underlying  it,  see  the  remarks  on 
the  Dee  or  Deva. 

Ptolemy  places  four  islands,  or  island  groups,  adjacent  to  his 
Cape  Orkas.  The  first  is  known  in  the  best  MSS.  as  Skitis  or 
Sketis  (once  only),  while  most  MSS.  give  the  form  Ocitis.  Ptolemy 
places  Skitis  about  70  miles  N.E.  of  Cape  Orkas,  and,  owing  to  the 
form  Ocitis,  many  writers  consider  ^t  as  having  been  one  of  the 
Orcades  islands.  It  is,  however,  more  probably  the  Isle  of  Skye 
misplaced,  a  view  which  commends  itself  to  Muller,  Thomas,  and 
Stokes.  The  latter  says  that  it  is  "  the  wing-shaped  island  of 
Skye  ;  Norse,  Skidh  ;  Irish,  Scii  (dat.  case,  date  700  in  Annals  of 
Ulster)  ;  Adamnan,  Sa«  ;  gen.,  Sceth  (date  667  in  Annals  of 
Ulster),  Scith  (Tigernach,  668);  means  wing,  Ir.  Sciat/i,  Sciathan." 
Dr  Stokes'  derivation  is  the  one  usually  accepted  ;  the  Norse 
Skidh,  which  is  possibly  influenced  by  "  folk-etymology,"  means  a 
'•  log,"  "  firewood,"  "  tablet,"  and  is  allied  to  another  Gaelic  Sgiath, 
a  shield.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Dean  of  Lismore  refers 
to  the  island  as  "Clar  Skeith"— the  Board  of  Skith. 

The  second  island  is  called  Dumna  ;  he  places  it  some  60  miles 
north,  that  is  west  (?),  of  the  mouth  of  the  Naver,  and  the  Orcades 
Isles  only  twenty  miles  further  off  northwards.  Pliny  mentions 
Dumna,  but  places  it  along  with  Scandia  or  Scandinavia.  Mr 
Elton  thinks  it  is  one  of  the  Orkneys,  Captain  Thomas  says  that 
it  is  usual  to  connect  it  with  Stroma  ("Current  Isle"),  and  Mr 
Bradley  considers  it  either  to  be  Skye  or  the  Long  Island.  It  may 
be  the  Long  Island  ;  the  name  seems  to  contain  the  root  which  we 
have  already  discussed  in  the  case  of  the  Damnonii  or  Dumnonii, 
the  u  of  which  is  also  long.2 

There  are  thirty  Orcades  Islands,  says  Ptolemy  ;  other  writers, 
such  as  Pliny,  Mela  and  Solinus  mention  them  and  their  numbers 
(40  or  30),  and  Tacitus  tells  us  that  Agricola's  fleet  subdued  them. 
The  name  is  still  with  us  in  Orkney,  a  Norse  form  signifying  the 

1  Ausonius  (4th  century)  explains  it  thus  :  "  Divona,  fons  addite  divia." 

1  Compare  the  goddess  Domnu,  whose  name  is  in  Inver  Domuann  (Rhys'" 
Hib.  Lect.,  p.  593), 


Ptolemy's  Geography  of  Scotland.  287< 

"  Isles  of  Ork."  Old  Gaelic  ore  signified  a  "  pig,  a  whale  ;"  hence 
"  Whale-Isles  "  is  the  force  of  the  word.  Allied  by  root  is  the 
Lat.  porcus,  pig,  whence  radically  we  have  the  Eng.  pork.  The 
fourth  island  is  the  ever-famous  Thule,  but  what  the  meaning  of 
the  name  is  or  where  the  island  was  situated  we  do  not  here  intend 
to  discuss,  for  it  is  a  very  fruitless  task.  It  is  possibly  part  of 
Scandinavia ;  at  least  we  cannot  consider  Thule  as  belonging  to 
Scotland. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  now  draw  some  inferences  from  these 
names  given  by  Ptolemy  for  northern  Scotland.  Early  Pictland, 
we  may  take  it,  was  Scotland  north  of  the  Firths  of  Forth  and 
Clyde — the  part  of  the  country  never  subdued  by  Roman  arms 
and  called  by  Tacitus  Caledonia.  For  this  district  north  of  the 
Firths  up  to  the  Orkneys,  Ptolemy  has  given  us  some  44  names. 
Are  the  names  Aryan  by  root  and  character  ?  Are  they  Celtic  ? 
If  Celtic,  do  they  belong  to  the  Brittonic  or  to  the  Gadelic  branch 
of  Celtic  ?  The  first  two  questions  are  practically  answered  ;  we 
have  only  to  summarise  the  results  at  which  we  arrived  in  discus- 
sing the  names  separately.  Of  the  44,  three  are  translated  names 
-  Ripa  Alta,  Pinnata  Castra,  and  Victoria  ;  these  cannot  count  in 
our  argument.  The  following  names  we  found  (1)  Celtic 
derivations  for  and  (2)  noted  them  as  existent  either  on  the 
Continent  in  Celtic  regions  or  in  England  and  Wales  on  Brittonic 
ground,  viz.:  —  Lemannonius,  Itis,  Tarvedum  (Tarvedunum), 
Deva,  Devana,  Tava,  Cornavii,  Decantse,  Lugi,  Smertse,  Lindum, 
to  which  we  may  add  Alauua.  The  root  of  Dumna  and  Durnnonii 
is  common  in  Celtic  lands,  and  the  elements  of  Vaco-magi  are 
easily  paralleled  in  Gaul.  Epidii  is  specially  Brittonic,  and  good 
Celtic  roots  were  found  for  Clota,  Longos,  Nabaros,  Carnonacae, 
Csereni,  Vernicoues,  Oread es  ;  the  Gaulish  prefix  ver  appears  in 
Ver'vedrum,  and  Verubium  ;  we  suggested  probable  roots  for 
Volsas,  Ila,  Varar,  Loxa,  Cselis,  Cerones  (Creones),  Sketis,  and  also 
for  Banuatia  and  Tamia.  Even  should  our  derivation  of 
Caledonia  be  disputed,  the  root  cal  may  be  fallen  back  upon,  and 
it  is  quite  common  in  Celtic  names  ;  but  it  is  a  root  of  several 
meanings.  The  Tvesis  and  Tina  are  doubtful  as  to  form  and 
origin  (Spey  and  Eden  1)  ;  Bodotria,  which  is  in  a  similar  position, 
was  referred  to  a  Pictish  comparative  (vo-ter-)  ;  Orrea  we  referred 
to  the  root  or,  and  Teexali  was  left  nnderived.  JSkene  suggests 
*br  Orrea  and  Ila  a  Basque  origin,  a  view  that  should  commend 
itself  to  Professor  Rhys. 

We  thus  see  that  only  three  or  four  words  cannot  be  satis- 
factorily   accounted    for ;    and   these,   in   two  cases,    are   badly 


288  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

recorded  forms ;  we  are  not  sure  that  we  are  dealing  with" the 
genuine  forms  of  the  words.  One-third  of  the  names  can  easily 
be  paralleled  elsewhere  on  Celtic  ground — Gaulish  and  Brittonic, 
but  not,  however,  on  Gadelic  ground  ;  a  fourth  more  show  good 
Celtic  roots,  and  another  fourth  can  be  satisfactorily  analysed  into 
either  Aryan  or  Celtic  radicals.  Hence  we  may  justly  conclude 
that  the  Picts  or  Caledonians  spoke  not  only  an  Aryan,  but  also  a 
Celtic  language  in  the  first  century  of  our  era.  Two  further  facts 
point  to  the  conclusion  that  the  Pictish  language  and  people  were 
rather  Brittonic  than  Gadelic.  First,  the  p  of  Epidii  is  thoroughly 
non-Gaelic,  but  it  is  equally  thoroughly  Welsh  ;  the  root  ego  or 
•epo,  as  we  saw,  means  "horse,"  and  the  former  is  the  Gadelic  and 
the  latter  the  Brittonic  form.  Again,  the  names  which  are 
paralleled  by  Gaulish  and  British  similar  forms  clearly  belong  to 
Brittonic,  or  rather  Gallo-British,  aground,  such  as  Devana, 
Tava,  Alauna,  Smertse,  Itis  ;  these  names  cannot  be  got  either 
in  ancient  or  modern  Ireland.  We  thus  see  that  Ptolemy's 
.geography  of  Pictland  yields  some  proof  that  the  Picts  were,  as  to 
language,  allied  to  the  Cymric  branch  of  the  Celtic  race.  With 
later  sources,  such  as  Bede,  Adamnan,  the  Annalists,  and  the 
Place-names,  these  proofs  accumulate,  so  that  now  we  may  claim, 
despite  the  cranky  theories  and  objections  of  certain  people,  that 
the  Pictish  question  is  settled. 


28 tk  DECEMBER,  1892. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members 
of  the  Society,  viz.: — Mr  J.  E.  Horrigan,  Collector  ot  Inland 
Revenue,  Inverness ;  Rev.  R.  Macdougall,  Resolis  Manse,  Inver- 
gordon ;  Rev.  Angus  Cameron,  St  John's  Rectory,  Arpafeelie  ;  Mr 
Donald  Nicolson,  Primrose  Cottage,  Uig,  Portree  ;  and  Professor 
A.  G.  Macdonald,  Truro,  Nova  Scotia.  Thereafter  the  Secretary 
read  a  paper  contributed  by  the  Rev.  J.  Macgregor,  Kilmorc 
Manse,  Argyleshire,  entitled  "  Highland  Sentiment." 


The  M act n tyres  of  G/ennoe.  289 

18th  JANUARY,  1893. 

At  this  meeting,  Mr  Alex.  Macdonald  moved,  and  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  to,  that  the  Society  record  in  their  minutes,  their 
loss  and  deep  regret  at  the  death  of  Ex-Councillor  William  Gunn, 
Inverness,  who  was  always  an  active  and  energetic  member  of  the 
Society  from  its  foundation.  The  rest  of  the  evening  was  devoted 
to  the  nomination  of  office-bearers  for  1893. 


25th  JANUARY,  1893. 

At  this  meeting  office-bearers  for  1893  \\ere  elected,  and  Dr 
Cameron  and  Dr  Cruickshanks,  Nairn,  were  elected  members  of 
the  Society.  Thereafter  the  honorary  secretary,  Mr  William 
Mackay,  read  a  paper  contributed  by  the  Rev.  A.  Maclean 
Sinclair,  Prince  Edward's  Island,  Nova  Scotia,  on  the  "Macintyres 
of  Glennoe." 

Mr  Alex.  Macbain,  M.A.,  moved,  and  Mr  W.  Mackay,  hon. 
secretary,  seconded,  the  following  motion,  which  was  cordially 
approved  of  by  the  meeting,  viz. »: — "  That  the  meeting  pass  a 
resolution  expressive  of  the  great  loss  which  Highland  and  Celtic 
literature  have  sustained  in  the  lamented  death  of  Sheriff  Nicol- 
son,  Edinburgh,  one  of  the  Honorary  Chieftains  of  the  Society, 
whose  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  Gaelic  language,  and  his 
unwearied  interest  in  all  that  tended  to  benefit  his  fellow-country- 
men, caused  his  name  to  be  well  known  and  deeply  revered  among 
Highlanders  in  all  parts  of  the  world."  The  Secretary  was 
instructed  to  forward  an  extract  of  the  minute,  with  an  expression 
of  the  sincere  condolence  of  the  Society,  to  Sheriff  Nicolsou's 
sister,  in  Edinburgh. 

Mr  Sinclair's  paper  was  as  follows  : — 

THE  MACINTYRES  OF  GLENNOE. 

The  name  Macintyre,  Mac-an-t-Saoir,  means  son  of  the  car- 
penter. It  may  be  regarded  as  a  fact,  then,  that  the  progenitor 
of  the  Macintyres  was  known  as  "an  saor,"  or  the  carpenter.  But 
why  was  he  called  the  carpenter  1  Was  he  a  real  carpenter  ?  Or 
was  he  merely  a  man,  who,  owing  to  some  act  or  other  performed 
by  him,  came  to  be  spoken  of  as  the  carpenter  1 

The  earliest  traditional  account  of  the  carpenter  from  whom 
the  Macintyres  have  sprung  is  substantially  as  follows  : — Olave 

19 


290  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

the  Red,  King  of  Man,  came  with  his  fleet  to  a  certain  loch  in  the 
Western  Isles  with  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  whole  of  the 
islands  into  subjection  to  him.  Somerled,  Thane  of  Argyle,  came 
to  the  other  side  of  the  loch,  and  calling  out  asked  Clave  how  he 
fared.  Olave  replied  that  he  was  well.  Then  Somerled  said  that 
he  would  assist  him  in  his  expedition,  if  he  would  give  him  his 
daughter  in  marriage.  Olave  replied  that  he  would  not,  but  told 
him  that  he  would  have  to  go  with  him.  Somerled  resolved  to  go 
with  Olave,  and  brought  his  two  galleys  over  to  the  place  in  which 
Olave's  ship  was  lying  at  anchor.  Maurice  Mac  Neill,  Somerled's 
sister's  son,  was  in  Olave's  company.  Maurice  came  to  Somerled 
and  told  him  that  he  would  find  means  of  getting  Olave's  daughter 
for  him.  In  the  night  time  Maurice  bored  Olave's  ship  with  a 
number  of  holes  and  overlaid  them  with  tallow  and  butter. 
Olave,  Somerled,  and  their  followers  sailed  in  the  morning.  When 
they  had  passed  the  point  of  Ardnajnurchan,  Olave's  ship  sprung 
a  leak  and  began  to  sink.  Olave  cried  for  help  to  Somerled,  but 
Somerled  would  not  save  him  unless  he  would  consent  to  give  him 
his  daughter.  At  last  being  in  danger  of  losing  his  life,  Olave 
promised  with  a  solemn  oath  to  give  Somerled  his  daughter. 
Somerled  then  received  him  immediately  into  his  galley.  Maurice 
went  into  Olave's  ship,  and  took  with  him  pins  which  he  had  in 
readiness.  He  put  the  pins  in  the  holes  and  saved  the  ship  from 
.sinking.  From  that  day  he  was  known  as  the  carpenter.  He  was 
the  ancestor  of  those  who  call  themselves  Macintyres,  or  sons  of 
the  carpenter  (Collectanea  De  Rebus  Albanicis,  page  283). 

According  to  Duncan  Ban  Macintyre,  the  progenitor  of  the 
Macintyres  was  at  sea  in  a  boat,  and  used  his  thumb  instead  of  a 
pin  to  fill  up  a  hole  through  which  the  water  was  rushing  in.  He 
cut  the  thumb  off  and  drove  it  into  the  hole  with  a  hammer.  He 
belonged  to  Sleat,  in  the  Isle  of  Skye,  and  was  a  descendant  of 
Conn  Ceud-Chathach. 

"  Bha  sibh  uair  gu  grinn  a  seoladh 

Air  druim  saile ; 

Chaidh  tar  rung  a  aon  de  bhordaibh 

Druim  a  bhata ; 

Leis  a  chabhaig,  sparr  e  'n  ordag 

Sios  na  h-aite  ; 

'S  bhuail  e  gu  teann  leis  an  ord  i, 

'S  ceann  d'  i  fhagail." 

For  the  latest  form  of  the  tradition  about  the  origin  of  the 
Macintyres  we  are  indebted  to  that  accomplished,  noble-hearted, 
and  patriotic  Highlander,  the  late  John  F.  Campbell  of  Islay. 


The  Macintyres  of  Glennoe.  291 

According  to  Mr  Campbell's  informant,  a  woman  named  Flora 
Macintyre,  there  was  a  King  in  Islay  long  ago  who  was  known  as 
High  Fionnaghal.  He  was  a  Macdonald,  and  had  his  residence  on 
the  island  in  Loch  Fionn-lagan.  He  had  an  illegitimate  son.  He 
was  one  day  at  sea  in  a  boat,  and  had  this  son  with  him.  The 
peg  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat  came  out  and  was  lost.  The  young 
man  thrust  his  thumb  into  the  hole  and  chopped  it  off  with  an 
axe.  "  Mo  laochan  air  saor  na  h-ordaig  !" — "  Good  on  your  head, 
thumb  carpenter" — said  his  father.  The  King's  son  was  from  that 
day  known  as  Saor  na  h-Ordaig,  or  the  Thumb  Carpenter.  The 
Macintyres  are  descended  from  him  (Popular  Tales  of  the  West 
Highlands,  Vol.  IV.,  page  35).  High  Fionnaghal,  properly  Righ 
Fionnghall,  King  of  the  Fair  Strangers,  was  no  doubt  the  title  by 
which  Olave  the  Red  was  known  among  the  Highlanders.  As  the 
Lords  of  the  Isles  were  successors  of  Olave,  the  same  title  would 
be  given  them.  The  fair  strangers  were  the  Scandinavians  who 
had  settled  in  the  Western  Islands. 

The  story  which  represents  the  progenitor  of  the  Macintyres, 
as  cutting  off  his  thumb  to  stop  a  leak  in  the  bottom  of  a  boat 
with  it,  is  a  little  too  absurd  for  credence.  It  is  possible,  however, 
that  he  did  something  like  that  which  Maurice  Macneill  is  said  to 
have  done.  At  the  same  time  he  may  have  been  a  real  carpenter. 
A  good  ship  carpenter  would  be  a  very  useful  and  prominent  man. 

According  to  tradition,  the  Macintyres  came  from  one  of  the 
Western  Isles.  They  lived  for  some  time  south  of  Ben  Crtiachan. 
They  tried  on  several  occasions  to  drive  their  cattle  through  the 
passes  of  that  mountain,  but  were  always  stopped  and  turned 
back  by  a  spirit  that  acted  as  guardian  of  the  mountain.  This 
spirit,  however,  was  by  no  means  unfriendly  to  them.  He  told 
them  one  day  that  they  had  been  taking  the  wrong  passes,  and 
directed  them  to  the  pass  or  opening  that  led  to  Glennoe.  He 
also  told  them  to  follow  a  white  cow  that  they  had  in  their  herd, 
and. to  build  a  house  for  themselves  on  the  first  spot  on  which  the 
cow  would  lie  down  to  rest.  They  followed  his  advice.  The 
result  was  that  they  settled  in  the  beautiful  valley  of  Glennoe. 

The  Macintyres  occupied  the  farm  of  Glennoe  for  a  long 
period.  According  to  an  old  saying,  an  apple  tree  at  Loch  Etive 
and  Macintyre  of  Glennoe  were  the  oldest  farmers  in  Scotland — 
"  Craobh  de  dh-abhall  a  gharaidh  aig  taobh  Loch  Eite  agus  Mac- 
an-t-Saoir  Ghlinn-Nodha  da  thuathanach  a  's  sinne  'n  Albainn." 
General  Stewart  of  Garth  states  that  the  Macintyres  settled  in 
Glennoe  about  the  year  1300.  They  were  foresters  of  the  Stewarts 
of  Lorn,  and  were  continued  in  the  same  employment  by  the 
Campbells  of  Glenurchy. — Sketches  of  the  Highlanders,  vol.  I.,  p.  80. 


292  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

The  Macin tyres  never  owned  Glennoe.  They  held  it,  however,, 
upon  very  easy  terms,  first,  from  the  Stewarts,  and  afterwards 
from  the  Campbells.  All  that  they  had  to  do  was  to  give  the 
proprietor  a  fatted  white  calf  every  year  and  a  snowball  in  the 
middle  of  the  summer.  They  could  easily  get  a  snowball  from, 
the  crevices  of  Ben  Cruachan  ;  and  very  fortunately  they  had 
always  one  or  two  white  cows  that  supplied  them  with  the  calves 
required  from  the  time  of  their  settlement  in  Glennoe  until  the 
year  1806.  When  the  Highland  lairds  began  to  grow  greedy  like 
other  mortals,  the  Earl  of  Breadalbane,  by  which  title  Campbell 
of  Glenurchy  had  come  to  be  known,  persuaded  Macintyre  of 
Glennoe  to  pay  him  a  nominal  rent  instead  of  giving  him  a  calf 
and  snowball.  In  the  course  of  a  few  years  the  nominal  rent  was 
increased  to  a  real  rent,  and  increased  to  so  large  a  sum  that  the 
Macintyres  could  not  pay  it  and  make  a  comfortable  living.  They 
were  thus  under  the  necessity  of  parting  with  the  home  of  their 
fathers. 

The  Macintyres  of  Glennoe  were  the  chiefs  of  the  Macintyres. 
Duncan  Ban,  in  his  "  Rahm  Gearradh-arm,"  speaks  of  James  of 
Glennoe  as  "  Seumas  an  ceann-cimiidli  nach  treig  gu  brath  sinn  " 
— James,  the  clan-head,  who  will  never  forsake  us. 

Duncan  Macintyre  of  Glennoe,  chief  of  the  Macintyres,  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Patrick  Campbell  of  Barcaldine,  Para  Beag,  by 
whom  he  had  Donald,  his  successor.  He  died  in  1695.  He  is 
buried  in  the  Priory  of  Ardchattan. 

Donald  of  Glennoe  got  into  trouble  with  the  Stewarts  of 
Appin,  and  was  under  the  necessity  of  fleeing  from  their  vengeance 
to  Keppoch.  It  is  said  that  the  cause  of  his  trouble  with  them 
was  that  he  had  killed  one  of  their  followers  accidentally  in  a 
brawl.  He  remained  in  Keppoch  for  some  time.  He  was  married 
twice.  By  his  first  wife,  Janet,  daughter  of  Archibald  Macdonald 
of  Keppoch  (Gilleasbic  na  Ceapich),  he  had  one  child,  a  daughter. 
By  his  second  wife,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Macdonald  of  Dalness, 
he  had  three  children,  James,  Catherine,  and  Mary.  His  eldest 
daughter  was  married  to  Alexander  Campbell  of  Ardchattan. 
Catherine  was  married  to  Charles  Campbell,  an  officer  in  the 
Excise  Customs.  Catherine  and  her  husband  lived  togethsr  over 
eighty  years.  They  had  one  son.  He  was  a  merchant,  and  died 
id  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  Mary  was  married  to  Donald 
Macuicol,  a  grazier,  and  for  some  time  keeper  of  the  stage-house  or 
inn  at  Dalmally.  Mary  had  two  sons,  John  and  Donald.  She 
had  three  daughters. 

James  of  Glennoe  was  born  about  the  year  1727.  He  was 
c-iliicated  bv  the  Earl  of  Breadallmne  until  he  was  able  to  bear 


The  Macintytes  of  Glennoe.  293 

arms.  He  studied  law  for  some  time,  but  gave  it  up  after  his 
father's  death  to  take  charge  of  Glennoe.  He  was  a  man  of  high 
culture,  and  an  excellent  Gaelic  scholar.  He  was  the  author  of 
several  Gaelic  poems,  in  one  of  which  he  makes  a  bitter  attack 
upon  Dr  Johnson.  He  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Duncan  Camp- 
bell of  Barcaldine,  and  sister  of  Cailein  Ghlinn  lubhair.  He  had 
three  sons  and  six  daughters-^-Donald,  Martin,  Duncan,  Catherine, 
Ann,  Isabel,  Mary,  Lucy,  and  Jean.  He  died  in  1799.  His  wife 
lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  103  years. 

James  Shaw,  bard,  Loch-nan-Eala,  composed  a  truthful  and 
pretty  song  about  James  of  Glennoe — 

"  Fear  dubh,  fear  dubh,  fear  dubh,  fear  dubh, 
Fear  dubh,  fear  dubh  's  e  liath-ghlas  ; 
Fear  dubh,  fear  dubh  's  a  chridhe  geal, 
Le  spiorad  glan  gun  iargain. 

"  Cha  ii-aithne  dhomh  's  na  criochan  so — 
'S  cha  mhis'  a  theid  ga  t'  fhiachainn — 
Aon  duin'  a  chumas  seanachas  riut, 
'S  gun  chearb  a  tigh'nn  o  d'  bhial  air." 

Martin,  second  son  of  James  of  Glennoe,  died  in  the  18th  year 
•of  his  age.  Duncan,  the  third  son,  was  a  captain  in  one  of  the 
Highland  regiments.  He  succeeded  bis  father  in  Glennoe.  He 
married  Ann,  daughter  of  Campbell  of  Duneaves,  in  Perthshire, 
by  whom  he  had  a  daughter  Jane,  who  died  unmarried.  Dimcan 
died  in  London,  in  1808.  He  was  the  last  Macintyre  that  held 
Glennoe.  His  widow  married  a  Major  Stephenson.  She  retained 
possession  of  the  manuscripts  that  had  belonged  to  James  of 
Glennoe.  What  became  of  these  manuscripts  I  do  not  know. 
Among  them  were  the  history  of  Smerbie  Mor  and  the  history  of 
the  Sons  of  Usnoth. —  MacnicoVs  Remarks,  Livingstone's  Edition, 
page  147. 

Catherine,  eldest  daughter  of  James  of  Glennoe,  was  married 
to  Peter  Macintyre  ;  Ann  to  Donald  Macintyre,  Peter's  brother  ; 
Isabel  to  Archibald  Maclellan  ;  Lucy  to  John  Macintyre  ;  and 
Jean  to  the  Rev.  Duncan  Macintyre,  minister  of  Kilmallie.  Mary 
•died  unmarried.  Catherine,  Ann,  and  Isabel  came  with  their 
husbands  to  Ontario. 

Donald,  eldest  son  of  James  of  Glennoe,  succeeded  his  father 
in  the  chiefship  of  the  clan.  He  was  a  doctor.  He  studied  in 
Edinburgh.  He  came  to  New  York  in  1785.  He  married  Esther 
Haines,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons — James,  Donald,  Thomas,  and 


294  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Martin.  He  practised  his  profession  in  two  or  three  different 
places.  He  died  in  1792.  He  is  buried  at  friinbury,  in 
Pennsylvania.  Donald,  his  second  son,  had  four  daughters  ; 
Thomas  had  three  sons  and  four  daughters ;  Martin  died 
unmarried. 

James,  eldest  son  of  Dr  Donald  Macintyre,  was  born  in  New- 
burgh,  Orange  County,  New  York,  in  1785.  He  went  to  Scotland 
in  1806.  He  was  a  factor  during  several  years.  He  married,  in 
1817,  Ann,  daughter  of  Peter  Campbell  of  Corner,  in  Glenurchyy 
by  his  wife  Joan,  daughter  of  John  Cameron  of  Fassiefern.  He 
returned  to  the  United  States  in  1822,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
about  four  miles  north  of  Johnstown,  in  Fulton  County,  New 
York.  He  had  six  sons — Donald,  Peter,  James,  Ewen,  Archibald, 
and  Martin.  He  died  in  1863.  His  wife  died  February  26th, 
1887.  She  was  born  at  Inverary  ii>  1792.  She  was  ninety-five 
years  of  age,  except  five  months,  at  the  time  of  her  death. 

Peter,  second  son  of  James  Macintyre,  is  a  farmer  ;  James  is 
in  the  glove  business  in  Johnstown  ;  Ewen  is  a  druggist  in  New 
York  ;  Archibald  is  a  wholesale  provision  merchant  in  Albany  ; 
Martin  is  a  druggist  at  Fonda. 

Donald,  eldest  son  of  James  Macintyre,  settled  on  a  farm  near 
the  village  of  Fonda,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  He  married 
Phebe  Shepard,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  James,  and  four 
daughters.  He  died  in  October,  1887.  He  is  buried  at  Johnstown. 
James,  his  only  son,  was  born  January  24th,  1864.  James  is  the 
present  chief  of  the  Macintyres. 

I  have  seen  it  stated  that  the  Carnerons  of  Glen-Nevis  were 
originally  Macintyres  (the  Highland  Monthly,  Vol.  II.,  p.  191). 
What  foundation  there  is  for  this  statement  1  do  not  know.  It  is 
true  that  the  Macintyres  were  not  lairds.  Still,  as  they  claimed 
descent  from  Gillibride  na  h-Uamha,  Somerled's  father,  it  is  not 
likely  that  any  of  them  would  change  their  name,  even  to  please 
Lochiel. 

I  find  the  Clanntyre  Vic  Coshem  mentioned  in  a  bond  of  man- 
rent,  in  1612.  They  lived  in  Creignish,  and  seem  to  have  been 
Macintyres.  The  head  of  the  family  was  Malcolm,  son  of  Duncan 
Macintyre  Mac  Coshem  (Collectanea  De  Relus  Albanicis,  p.  206). 
Duncan  Ban  had  a  gun  which  he  called  "Nic-Coiseam." 

John  Macintyre  of  Camus  na-h-Eireadh  wras  tenth  in  descent 
from  Macintyre  of  Glennoe.  He  fought  under  Prince  Charles, 
and  was  wounded  at  Falkirk.  He  composed  a  few  Gaelic  poems. 
He  died  in  1755.  He  had  at  least  two  sons,  Duncan,  and  one 
who  had  a  son  named  Peter.  Duncan  was  a  minister.  He  was. 


The  Mac  in  tyres  of  G/ennoe.  295 

ordained  in  1784.  He  became  minister  of  Laggan  in  1809,  and 
of  Kilmallie  in  1816.  He  married  Jean,  daughter  of  James  of 
Glennoe,  by  whom  he  had  John  and  Martin.  He  died  in  1830. 
His  wife  died  in  1855.  John,  the  accomplished  Dr  Macintyre,  of 
Kilmonivaig,  was  the  author  of  several  Gaelic  poerns.  Peter, 
grandson  of  John  Macintyre  of  Camus-na-h-Eireadh,  was  a  captain 
in  the  Royal  Marines.  He  died  in  1855.  He  was  the  author  of 
"  Traghadh  mo  Dhuthcha"  and  other  Gaelic  poems. 

"'S  e  traghadh  mo  dhuthcha 
A  dhruigh  air  mo  chom ; 
1  muthadh  's  a  tionndadh 
Mar  uspairt  nan  tonn  ; 
Na  fior  Ghaidheil  dhileas 
A  diobairt  nan  torn, 
Is  ciobairean  diblidh 
Feadh  fhrithean  nan  sonn." 


31st  JANUARY,  1893. 
TWENTY-FIRST  ANNUAL  DINNER. 

The  T\\enty-first  Annual  Dinner  of  the  Society  took  place  in 
the  Caledonian  Hotel  this  evening,  and  possessed  more  than 
ordinary  interest,  celebrating  as  it  did  the  21st  anniversary  of  its 
institution.  During  that  period  the  Society  has  published 
seventeen  volumes  of  Transactions,  and  its  present  state  of 
membership,  and  general  activity  in  revising  old  and  breaking  in 
new  fields  of  research,  gives  promise  of  still  greater  literary 
wealth.  Rev.  Dr  Norman  Macleod,  one  of  the  chieftains  of  the 
Society,  presided,  supported  by  Colonel  Malcolm,  C.B. ;  Provost 
Macpherson,  Kingussie  ;  Mr  William  Mackay,  solicitor  ;  Mr  A.  F. 
Steele,  banker ;  Mr  H.  V.  Maccallum,  solicitor  ;  Mr  Duncan 
Mackintosh,  secretary  to  the  Society ;  Mr  Alex.  Mackenzie,  pub- 
lisher ;  Mr  Williamson,  banker ;  Mr  Bannerman,  Southport ; 
Captain  Ruari  Chisholm,  Seaforth  Highlanders ;  Mr  Chisholm, 
Colorado.  Mr  Duncan  Campbell,  of  the  Chronicle,  and  Mr  John 
Robertson,  inspector  of  schools,  were  croupiers. 

During  the  progress  of  the  dinner,  the  Society's  piper,  Pipe- 
Major  Ronald  Mackenzie,  played  a  variety  of  tunes  with  character- 
istic ability. 

After  dinner,  the  Chairman  gave  the  loyal  toasts  in  a  few 
choice  sentences,  followed  by  that  of  the  "  Army,  Navy,  and 


296  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Reserve  Forces,"  coupled  with  the  name  of  Colonel  Malcolm,  C.B. 
With  regard  to  the  army,  Dr  Macleod  said,  it  is  impossible  not  to 
refer  to  the  animated  discussion  now  going  on  in  connection  with 
the  future  of  that  most  distinguished  regiment,  which  has  its 
headquarters  in  our  own  town — the  79th  Cameron  Highlanders. 
Like  others,  I  have  read  many  of  those  letters  with  which  the 
newspapers  have  been  filled  during  the  last  few  months.  Some  of 
these  have  appeared  to  me,  I  confess,  to  be  the  letters  of  very 
stupid  and  blundering  men.  Others,  again,  were  evidently  written 
with  full  knowledge  of  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  with  an  intelli- 
gent appreciation  of  the  traditions  and  aspirations  of  the  Highland 
people.  Gentlemen,  I  imagine  tha,t  I  express  the  unanimous 
feeling  of  this  assembly  when  I  say  that  we  are  thoroughly 
opposed  to  the  step  wrhich  seems  to  be  contemplated,  or  perhaps  I 
may  say,  was  contemplated.  1  am  ^aot  myself  sufficiently  con- 
versant with  military  affairs  to  be  quite  able  clearly  to  understand 
the  motives  which  lie  at  the  root  of  that  policy.  To  a  civilian  it 
does  seem  extraordinary  that  some  plan  cannot  be  devised  by 
which  the  efficiency  of  the  service  may  be  secured  without  burying 
out  of  sight  a  regiment  which  has  borne  its  colours  untarnished 
through  many  a  glorious  campaign,  and  has  added  lustre  to  the 
annals  of  its  country  by  a  thousand  deeds  of  valour.  No  doubt  it 
is  unfortunate  that  its  recruits  should  at  this  moment  be  so  largely 
drawn  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Bow-Bells.  At  the  same  time, 
if  some  statistics  lately  published  are  reliable — and  I  believe  they 
are — it  is  even  yet  a  Highland  regiment  in  more  t.han  name ;  and 
there  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  maintained  on  the  old 
footing,  so  far  as  any  of  us  can  perceive.  We  are  often  told  that 
the  military  spirit  is  dead  in  the  Highlands.  I  hope  it  is  not. 
It  is  hardly  fair  to  compare  the  state  of  matters  which  existed  at 
the  beginning  of  the  century  with  the  present  time.  That  was  a 
supreme  crisis,  when  the  nation  had  to  fight  for  its  very  existence. 
The  defence  of  their  hearths  and  homes  was  the  one  absorbing 
thought  which  then  filled  the  minds  of  all  classes  of  the  people. 
And  no  wonder  if  men  flocked  around  the  national  standard,  as 
they  cannot  be  expected  to  do  in  a  time  of  profound  peace  and 
abundance  of  work  like  the  present.  Even  now  there  is  more  of 
the  martial  spirit  in  the  Highlands  than  is  sometime  thought. 
Look  at  the  Naval  Reserve.  Look  at  the  Militia  regiments. 
Look  at  the  Volunteers.  I  am  persuaded  that  if  the  moment  of 
real  national  danger  ever  arrive,  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in 
recruiting  the  ranks  of  the  Cameron  Highlanders  and  every  High- 
land regiment  there  is.  As  for  the  Navy,  we,  in  this  part  of  the 


Annual  Dinner.  297 

•courtry,  are  not  often  reminded  of  the  existence  of  the  Navy;, 
except,  perhaps,  when  we  hear  of  a  great  battleship  going  ashore 
in  a  well-known  harbour,  or  something  of  that  sort  happening. 
To  be  sure,  there  is  the  Briton.  I  forgot  the  poor  Briton  !  But 
the  Briton  only  reminds  us  of  the  Navy  that  was  one  hundred 
years  ago  or  thereabout.  I  wish  we  could  see  more  of  the  Navy 
than  we  do,  if  it  were  only  in  the  way  of  capturing  Inverness 
occasionally,  and  putting  a  tremendous  price  on  the  head  of  our 
excellent  Provost  !  Then  there  are  the  Reserved  forces,  of  which 
we  all  know.  In  no  part  of  the  country  are  these  Reserves  more 
efficiently  represented  than  in  this  town  and  district.  I  give  you 
the  toast  of  the  Army,  coupling  the  Navy. 

Colonel  Malcolm,  who  replied  for  the  Army,  said  it  was  a  very 
trying  ordeal  to  be  asked — in  passing  through  Inverness,  which 
was,  of  course,  a  centre  which  led  to  everywhere,  to  Oban,  which 
was  the  way  to  everywhere  else — to  face  a  large  company  of  the 
Gaelic  Society,  when  he  himself,  unfortunately,  could  not  speak 
the  Gaelic  tongue.  However,  like  the  boy  who,  when  asked  if  he 
could  speak  German,  said  "  No,  but  his  uncle  played  the  German 
flute,"  he  might  say  that,  though  he  could  not  speak  Gaelic,  his 
wife  could  ;  more  than  that,  she  could  do  what  many  present  were 
not  equal  to — she  could  spell  all  the  words  she  knew,  and  these 
were  not  few.  After  relating  a  number  of  humorous  stories  to 
illustrate  the  discipline  of  the  Army,  Colonel  Malcolm  referred  to 
the  Cameron  Highlanders.  It  was  not  for  him,  he  said,  to  explain 
away,  or  explain  at  all,  the  action  of  the  Government  in  regard  to 
this  regiment,  more  especially  the  action  of  the  permanent 
authorities  of  the  War  Department,  but  he  would  like  to  suggest 
to  whoever  it  might  concern  that,  if  the  Highlands  were  not  over- 
recruited,  let  the  experiment  be  tried  of  opening  a  few  more 
military  stations,  say  at  Oban,  Dingvvall,  and  other  centres.  Why, 
a  large  number  of  our  fellows  on  the  Wes*  Coast  really  never  had 
seen  a  soldier ;  their  ignorance  was,  in  fact,  so  profound  that  they 
imagined  when  a  man  joined  the  Army  he  went  straight  to  perdi- 
tion. In  conclusion,  the  Colonel  expressed  the  hope  that  the 
Gaelic  Society  might,  like  the  Army,  continue  to  flourish. 

Lieut.-Colonel  Geo.  J.  Campbell,  Highland  Volunteer  Artillery, 
replied  for  the  Reserve  forces. 

At  this  stage,  the  Secretary,  Mr  Duncan  Mackintosh,  sub- 
mitted the  annual  Report  of  the  Executive,  which  was  as 
follows : — 

"  The  Council  have  pleasure  in  reporting  that  the  prosperity 
and  usefulness  of  the  Society  continue  to  increase.  During  the 


298  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

past  year,  46  ne\v  members  joined  the  Society—  1  life  member,  6 
hon.  members,  and  39  ordinary — and  several  volumes  have  been 
added  to  the  library.  Volume  XVII.  of  the  Society's  Transactions 
was  issued  to  the  members  last  week,  and  it  is  one  of  the  largest 
of  the  Society's  volumes.  It  is  believed  that  its  contents  will  be 
found  of  much  interest  and  value.  Volume  XVIII.  is  in  the 
press.  The  syllabus  for  session  1892-93,  which  is  now  in  the 
hands  of  those  present,  shows  that  there  is  no  abatement  in  the 
activity  of  members  in  the  special  field  which  the  Society 
endeavours  to  cultivate.  The  Treasurer  reports  as  follows,  viz.  : — 
Balance  from  last  year,  £36  3s  Id  ;  income  during  the  year,  £152 
13s  Id;  total  revenue,  £188  16s  2d.  Expenditure  during  year, 
£145  13s  6d;  balance  on  hand  after  paying  all  debts  due  by  the 
Society,  £43  2s  8d.  The  yearly  expenditure  of  the  Society  is 
greatly  increasing,  and  the  Council  would  urgently  impress  on  the 
members  the  necessity  of  doing  what  lies  in  their  power  to  increase 
the  list  of  the  Society's  life  and  hon.  members.  The  study  of  the 
questions  in  which  the  Society  is  especially  interested  has  greatly 
extended  since  the  foundation  of  the  Society,  and  able  scholars  are 
willing  to  contribute  to  the  Transactions,  but  the  Council  feel  that 
they  cannot  issue  to  the  members  volumes  of  such  size  and  value 
as  with  a  larger  income  they  would  be  in  a  position  to  publish. 
In  connection  with  this  subject,  the  Council  have  to  acknowledge 
with  gratitude  the  following  donations  towards  the  publishing 
fund,  received  during  the  past  year: — Mr  J.  D.  Fletcher  of 
Hosehaugh,  second  contribution,  £25 ;  Sir  Kenneth  Mackenzie 
of  Gairloch,  £5  ;  Mr  John  Mackay,  Hereford,  £2  2s  ;  and  Mr  Paul 
Cameron,  Blair-A thole,  £1.  Our  membership  at  present  is  415, 
viz.,  26  life  members,  64  honorary,  and  325  ordinary ;  and  the 
library  contains  close  on  200  volumes." 

The  Chairman,  who  was  received  with  applause,  then  rose  to 
give  the  toast  of  the  evening,  "Success  to  the  Gaelic  Society  of 
Inverness."  I  could  have  wished,  he  said,  that  some  one  more 
familiar  with  the  work  of  the  Society  during  the  twenty-one  years 
of  its  existence  had  filled  the  chair  to-night,  but  I  can  assure  you 
that  no  one  could  have  accepted  the  honour  of  presiding  on  this 
occasion  with  greater  pride  or  pleasure  thairl  now  feel.  With  the 
general  objects  of  the  Society,  which  are  not  purely  sentimental, 
but  practical  and  useful  from  many  points  of  view,  I  am  in  entire 
sympathy,  and  I  desire  first  of  all  to  congratulate  those  who  have 
been  connected  with  it  from  the  outset  on  the  gratifying  measure 
of  success  which  has  crowned  and  rewarded  ther  efforts.  It  has 
now  attained  its  majority.  The  perils  attendant  on  infancy  and 


Annual  Dinner.  299 

early  youth  have  been  safely  surmounted.  So  far  as  I  know,  it- 
has  sown  110  wild  oats,  but,  on  the  contrary,  has  garnered  not  a 
few  of  the  precious  fruits  of  knowledge — first-fruits,  I  have  hope, 
of  a  nobler  and  richer  harvest  to  be  reaped  in  the  years  that  are 
to  come.  This  evening  we  are  invited  to  a  retrospect,  not  of  one 
year  only,  but  of  one-and- twenty  years,  and  I  think  we  must  all 
acknowledge  that  upon  the  whole  it  is  a  satisfactory  record,  of 
which  the  working  bees  in  this  little  hive  have  no  cause  to  be 
ashamed.  No  doubt,  like  all  human  retrospects,  it  reminds  us  of 
losses  which  have  been  sustained — two  espeoially  which  have 
fallen  upon  us  during  the  year  just  ended,  anyhow  very  recently. 
For,  gentlemen,  it  is  impossible  to  propose  this  toast  without 
recalling  the  name  of  one  who,  though  not  a  member  of  this. 
Society,  was  unquestionably  in  the  foremost  ranks  of  Celtic  litera- 
ture. I  refer,  of  course,  to  my  late  distinguished  friend,  Dr  Skene, 
the  historiographer  of  Scotland.  There  has  been  no  man  of  our 
time  who  did  more  for  the  higher  branches  of  the  subject,  to. 
which  he  devoted  his  great  talents  with  such  rare  patience  and 
unwearied  assiduity.  His  history  ot  "Celtic  Scotland"  is  an 
enduring  monument  of  his  learning  and  research.  A  kindlier  or 
more  genuinely  Christian  gentleman  than  Dr  Skene  I  have  never 
known — ever  accessible  to  all,  and  always  willing  to  extend  his 
help  to  the  humblest  worker  in  those  fields  which  he  had  so  widely 
and  exhaustively  explored  himself.  The  other,  to  whom  fitting 
reference  has  been  made  in  the  report,  was  a  member  of  this. 
Society,  and  well  known  to  most  of  you — the  genial  and  much, 
loved  friend  of  many — Sheriff  Nicolson.  If  ever  there  was  a  man 
to  whom  the  Highlands  and  everything  Highland  was  a  passion, 
that  man  was  Alexander  Nicolson.  He  may  not  have  been  great 
at  the  law — not  because  he  had  not  the  ability,  but  only  because 
he  was  somewhat  lacking  in  other  qualities  which  make  for  success 
at  the  bar  as  in  all  professions.  But  to-night,  gentlemen,  we 
think  of  him  not  as  a  lawyer,  but  as  a  man,  and,  above  all,  as  a 
Highlander.  It  was  once  said  by  Lord  Cockburn  of  a  near 
relative  of  my  own,  whose  "  Teachdaire  Gaelach"  is  not  quite 
forgotten  in  the  Highlands,  that  if  he  could  be  dissected  it 
would  be  certainly  found  that  his  heart  was  dressed  in  the- 
kilt.  The  same  remark  might  be  made  of  Nicolson.  There- 
was  not  a  trace  of  affectation  in  his  Celtic  enthusiasm — 
it  was  genuine — it  was  heart-felt.  You  could  not  speak 
to  him  five  minutes  without  inhaling  a  whiff  of  the  pure 
mountain  air  of  the  Cuchullins,  which  he  loved  so  well.  Who. 
that  have  heard  him  sing  "  Ho  ro  Mhorag "  will  ever  forget 


>'JOO  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

it  ?  I  remember  meeting  him  one  day  in  Princes  Street.  It  was 
shortly  after  the  last  Egyptian  War.  He  looked  as  if  he  was 
bothered  about  something.  "  What's  wrong  with  you,  Nicolson?" 
I  asked,  "  Well,"  said  he,  **  I  want  to  add  another  verse  to  *  Ho 
ro  Mhorag,'  and  I  have  been  trying  all  day  to  find  a  rhyme  for 
Tel-el-Kebir,  and  I  can't  manage  it !"  "  I  am  sorry,"  said  I,  "  but 
I  can't  help  you,"  and  so  we  parted.  However,  some  days  after- 
wards, he  came  up  to  me,  with  great  glee,  to  tell  me  that  he  had 
found  it.  What  it  was  I  don't  remember,  and,  to  say  the  truth, 
cannot  now  imagine,  but,  anyhow,  the  new  verse  was  added  to 
"  Ho  ro  Mhorag,"  already  sufficiently  long,  in  all  conscience, 
though  it  is  hard  to  say  how  many  verses  have  been  added  since 
We  shall  long  remember  our  friend  as  a  truly  able  and  warm- 
hearted man,  who  did  not  a  little  in  his  day  to  throw  gleams  of 
sunshine  into  the  social  circle,  and,  4h  the  more  serious  business 
of  life,  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  his  fellow-countrymen, 
whose  welfare  was  always  near  and  dear  to  his  heart.  But, 
gentlemen,  though  the  retrospect  of  one  and  twenty  years  must,  of 
course,  remind  us  of  our  losses,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  there 
never  was  a  time  when  the  field  of  Celtic  study  wras  more  widely 
cultivated  than  it  now  is,  or  by  more  capable  hands.  This 
Society,  in  a  humble  way,  has  contributed  not  a  little,  I  think,  to 
the  general  result.  The  volumes  which  record  its  transactions 
witness,  in  my  opinion,  to  a  very  large  amount  of  good  work. 
The  treasure  house  of  the  past,  has  been  ransacked. 
Obscure  points  in  local  and  family  history  have  been  investigated. 
Fresh  contributions,  in  some  cases  of  real  merit,  have  been  added 
to  the  literature  of  the  Gael,  and  in  one  way  or  another  the  original 
design  of  the  Society  has  been  carried  out  with  zeal,  intelligence, 
and  ability.  1  do  not  mean  to  suggest  that  the  work  of  the 
Society  is  purely  antiquarian.  Non-political  it  certainly  is,  and 
I  hope  will  continue  to  be.  But  it  would  be  wrong  if  it  were 
possible  to  be  uninterested  spectators  of  those  movements  which  so 
powerfully  affect  the  present  condition  and  the  future  prospects  of 
the  Highland  people.  My  impression  is  that  an  honest  and 
impartial  investigation  of  the  history  of  the  Highlands,  which  is 
clearly  within  the  scope  of  a  Society  like  this,  might  contribute 
not  a  little  to  the  solution  of  some  of  those  difficulties  which  now 
confront  us,  or,  at  all  events,  the  removal  of  some  current  fallacies. 
To  the  burning  question  of  the  repopulation  of  the  Highlands,  as 
it  may  be  called,  I  shall  not  venture  to  refer.  Meantima  it  has 
been  entrusted  to  a  Royal  Commission,  and  may  be  regarded  as 
in  a  sense  sul  judice.  It  muct  always  be  assumed  that  Royal 


Annual  Dinner.  301 

Commissioners  are  men  of  light  and  leading,  who  are  possessed  of 
a  technical  skill,  insight,  and  wisdom,  which  are  denied  to  us  who 
are  but  ordinary  mortals,  and  therefore  we  shall  await  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  with  lively  interest,  though,  I  confess,  that  it 
does  appear  to  me  that  the)7  have  got  about  as  hard  a  nut  to. 
crack  as  could  be  well  imagined,  unless,  indeed,  they  begin  by 
banishing  some  old  fashioned  notions  of  political  science  to  Jupiter, 
and  are  able  to  devise  some  means  by  which  people  can  be 
equitably  moved  from  place  to  place,  as  you  might  move  the 
figures  on  a  chessboard.  Be  that,  however,  as  it  may,  we  wish 
them  well,  for  of  this  I  am  very  sure,  that  there  is  not  a  single 
individual  now  hearing  me  who  would  not  rejoice  to  see  the 
Highland  population  better  distributed  than  it  now  is,  and  to. 
see  that  population  living  in  greater  comfort  and  happiness 
than  many  of  them  now  enjoy.  But  what  I  wish  to 
emphasise  is  the  light  which  may  be  thrown  on  the  present 
condition  of  the  Highlands  by  such  investigation  into  the  history 
of  former  times  as  falls  properly  to  a  Society  like  this.  There  are 
two  points  in  particular  regarding  which  there  seems  to  me  to  be 
a  great  deal  of  exaggeration.  One  is,  the  condition  of  the  people  in 
what  are  called  the  good  old  days.  We  are  all  very  apt,  when  we 
recall  the  past,  to  think  only  of  the  happiness  it  brought  us,  and 
to  forget  its  miseries. ,  We  remember  the  fragrance  of  the 
rose,  but  not  the  thorns  which  may  have  pierced  our  hand. 
And  the  same  thing  often  happens  in  the  retrospect  of  nations 
and  races.  This,  at  all  events,  1  am  bound  to  say — the 
improvement  that  has  taken  place  in  the  condition  of  the  High- 
land people  during  the  last  100  years  has  been  enormous,  and 
there  is  no  use  denying  it.  The  social,  moral,  political,  and 
religious  life  (always  subject  to  certain  qualifications  here  and 
there)  has  been  immensely  elevated.  All  along  the  line  there  has 
been,  in  my  opinion,  a  decided  advance  which  we  are  called  upon 
thankfully  to  acknowledge.  I  wish  I  could  say  they  were  a  more 
joyous  people.  This  I  fear  they  are  not,  The  voice  of  music  and 
song  has  been  too  often  silenced  by  influences  of  one  kind  or 
Another  which  I  for  one  deeply  deplore.  But,  upon  the  whole, 
there  has  been  improvement — no  doubt  of  it.  Then,  another 
point  is  the  question  of  depopulation.  All  very  well,  you  may  say, 
to  speak  of  improvement,  but  what  if  there  are  no  people  ?  Well, 
no  doubt  there  are  large  districts  of  the  Highlands  much  more 
sparsely  peopled  than  they  ought  to  be.  Taking  the  Highlands 
as  a  whole,  I  suppose  the  population  is  not  mucii  less,  if  at  all, 
than  it  was  100  years  ago.  The  misfortune  is  that  it  is  too  often 


302  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

congested  in  unfertile  corners,  or  congested  in  wretched  villages 
and  townships  where  subsistence  is  hardly  possible.  I  constantly 
read  statements,  however,  which  seem  to  take  it  for  granted  that 
the  depopulation  of  the  Highlands,  where  such  depopulation  has 
occurred,  is  entirely  due  to  what  is  called  evictions.  It  is  nothing 
of  the  kind.  That  at  a  former  time  there  were  evictions,  often 
cruel  and  capricious,  need  not  be  denied,  [t  is  notorious.  At  the 
same  time,  it  is  a  mistake,  though  a  common  one,  to  attribute 
Highland  depopulation  exclusively,  or  T  would  say  in  the  main,  to 
this  cause.  It  is  but  a  phase  of  a  movement  whi«;h  has  been 
going  on  for  years  in  all  parts  of  the  country  as  well  as  in  the 
Highlands — the  rural  population  decreasing  and  the  large  cities 
increasing  by  leaps  and  bounds.  In  the  Highlands  this  movement, 
apart  altogether  from  lamentable  evictions,  has  been  accelerated 
in  a  variety  of  ways.  For  one  thing  there  has  been  a  vast 
emigration  to  the  Colonies  that  was,  to  m  great  extent,  voluntary. 
Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  have  transported  themselves  to 
regions  where  they  believed  they  could  improve  their  position,  and 
where  they  have  improved  it.  In  Canada,  in  Australia,  and  in 
New  Zealand,  arid  all  over  the  world,  Highland  emigrants 
have  settled  down,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God  have  prospered. 
1  have  no  patience  with  those  who  shudder  at  emigration, 
voluntary  emigration  of  course,  as  if  it  was  an  idea  never  to  be 
thought  of  for  a  moment — a  ruthless  expatriation  which  no  lover 
of  his  country  can  sanction  or  approve.  It  has  been  in  the  past, 
and  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  in  the  future,  one  outlet 
among  many  for  those  who  cannot  under  any  conceivable  cir- 
cumstances find  employment  or  subsistence  at  home.  Then  again, 
the  failure  of  the  kelp  trade  during  the  earlier  years  of  this 
century  has  something  to  do  with  depopulation.  At  the  outset  it 
had  also  something  to  do  with  the  growth  of  that  crofting  system 
in  the  Outer  Islands,  which  is  by  no  means  of  such  old  standing  in 
the  modern  sense  as  we  sometimes  think.  During  the  time  of  the 
kelp  trade,  a  large  population  was  necessary.  But  when  it  failed 
there  was  of  course  destitution,  and  many  had  to  seek  a  livelihood 
elsewhere,  while  those  who  remained  settled  down  under  those 
adverse  circumstances  which  continue  to  the  present  day.  If  the 
landlords  of  that  time  had  dealt  with  their  people  as  mere 
operatives,  the  crofting  system  had  never  assumed  the  proportion 
it  has.  But  as  a  class  they  were  kind-hearted  men,  who  did  not 
deal  with  their  people  as  mere  operatives.  They  allowed  them 
for  the  most  part  to  remain  where  they  were,  a  fact  too  frequently 
lost  sight  of.  Still,  hundreds,  and  I  suppose  thousands,  went 


Annual  Dinner.  303 

gradually  away  simply  because  the  work  which  had  hitherto 
supported  them  had  practically  ceased  to  exist.  And  once  more 
the  growth  of  the  great  centres  of  industry  in  the  south,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  century,  has  tended,  more  and  more,  to 
draw  away  the  people  from  the  glens  and  islands  to  those  places 
like  Glasgow,  where  you  will  find  a  larger  Gaelic-speaking 
population  than  in  many  a  Highland  county.  It  was  my  lot  to 
minister  for  several  years  to  the  Highlanders  of  Glasgow,  and  I 
know  well  about  what  I  am  speaking.  Year  by  year  I  saw  that 
Highland  population  augmented  by  a  stream  of  young  men  and 
women  flowing  into  the  city  in  quest  of  work — not  driven  away 
in  the  majority  of  cases  by  eviction  at  all — but  simply  following 
the  trade  of  the  country,  and  seeking  to  better  themselves.  The 
young  came  first,  and  by-and-bye,  after  they  had  settled  down,  it 
was  no  uncommon  occurrence  for  the  whole  family,  parents  and 
all,  to  follow.  These,  gentlemen,  are  some  considerations  that 
are,  perhaps,  deserving  of  greater  attention  than  is  usually  given 
to  them.  Exaggeration  never  does  good  at  any  time,  and  it  docs 
appear  to  me  that  there  is  a  good  deal  of  exaggeration  with 
reference  to  such  matters.  There  is  much  in  the  present  condition 
of  the  Highlands  which  we  must  deplore,  but  I  trust  it  is  not  as 
bad,  when  compared  with  former  times,  as  it  is  represented  to  be  ; 
and  let  iis  hope  that,  out  of  confusion  and  controversy,  a  new 
order  of  things  will  in  due  time  emerge  that  will  conduce  in  as 
large  a  measure  as  we  all  desire  to  the  prosperity,  well-being,  and 
general  contentment  of  a  people  of  whom  we,  who  are  their 
kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh,  have  no  reason  to  be  ashamed. 
Gentlemen,  I  must  detain  you  no  longer.  I  again  congratulate 
you  on  the  good  progress  which  this  Society  has  made,  and  I 
cordially  re-echo  the  sentiment — that  it  may  long  live  and  always 
prosper. 

Mr  William  Mackay,  solicitor,  in  giving  the  toast  of  Highland 
Literature  and  Education,  said  on  no  previous  occasion  had  he 
proposed  this  toast  with  so  much  pleasure  as  now,  celebrating,  as 
this  dinner  did,  the  21st  anniversary  of  the  Society.  In  other 
words,  the  Society  had  now  attained  its  majority,  and  a  retrospect 
of  the  past  21  years  was,  in  his  view,  both  a  satisfactory  and  a 
pleasant  one.  With  regard  to  Celtic  literature,  he  did  not 
exaggerate  the  state  of  matters  21  years  ago,  when  he  said  that  no 
general  interest  was  taken  in  that  subject.  There  were  a  few 
Gaelic  students  working  here  and  there  quietly,  but  there  was  no 
general  interest  taken  in  Celtic  literature  such  as  they  had  now. 
Twenty  years  ago  they  had  no  Celtic  professorship  in  England  or 


3(H  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Scotland  ;  and,  save  possibly  in  Wales  and  Ireland,  the  Celtic 
language  was  practically  ignored  in  the  schools  of  the  country. 
Now  they  had  Celtic  professors  at  Oxford  and  Edinburgh.  Twenty- 
one  years  ago  they  had  no  encouragement  whatever,  except  from 
what  he  called  private  societies,  to  the  study  of  Gaelic  in  any  sense  ; 
now  they  had  Gaelic  grants  from  Government — which  were,  by  the 
way,  possibly  not  taken  advantage  of  as  they  might  be,  but  still 
they  were  there,  an  encouragement.  Within  the  lasr,  21  years 
book  after  book  had  been  published  upon  Celtic  language  and 
studies  ;  and  in  connection  with  these  publications,  he  might  say 
they  had  very  good  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  own  Transactions — 
of  the  17  volumes  they  had  given  to  the  world,  to  use  a  big  word. 
They  were  very  interesting  volumes.  All  the  material  might  not 
be  of  great  value,  but,  on  the  whole,  they  formed  a  mine  of  wealth 
to  the  future  historian  of  the  Highlands,  and  to  the  student  of 
Highland  folklore.  There  was  anotj^er  thing  he  could  say  with 
truth.  If  one  took  a  look  through  those  volumes  he  would  be  very 
much  struck,  and  surprised,  by  the  great  improvement  that  had 
taken  place  in  the  contributions  to  the  Transactions  within  the  last 
21  years.  They  had  now  Celtic  subjects  treated  in  a  more  scientific, 
and  certainly  in  a  more  useful  way  than  was  the  case  when  the 
Society  started.  With  regard  to  Highland  education,  in  1871  they 
had  the  old  parochial  system  still  in  existence.  No  doubt  that 
system  was  a  magnificent  one,  and  one  which  did  enormous  good  to 
Scotland — one  of  which  Scotchmen  would  ever  speak  with  pride — 
but  it  had  done  its  work ;  and  in  1872  the  Education  Act  put  an 
end  to  it — in  the  opinion  of  some  of  them,  put  an  end  to  it  too- 
much.  Perhaps  it  would  have  been  better  to  have  extended  it 
rather  than  ended  it.  At  any  rate,  the  new  system  came  into 
force,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  they  had  excellent  schools 
erected  in  every  corner  of  every  parish  ;  they  had  better  teachers 
appointed  ;  they  had,  on  the  whole,  a  better  system  of  education  ; 
and  last,  but  not  least,  they  had  a  great  deal  of  encouragement 
given  them  by  the  Government.  The  new  system  had  its  drawbacks. 
When  begun,  it  ignored  too  much  what  had  been  a  feature  of  the 
parochial  system,  what  might  be  called  secondary  education.  It 
had  a  tendency  to  put  every  pupil  on  an  educational  level  with  his 
neighbour,  no  matter  what  his  talents  or  business  or  professional 
aspirations  might  be.  Another  fact  was  that  education  became,, 
financially  very  burdensome,  especially  in  the  Western  Highlands. 
These  defects  had  to  some  extent  been  removed.  Government  made 
special  grants,  both  in  relief  of  taxation  and  for  the  encouragement 
of  special  studies.  The-  old  Society  f<»r  Propagating  Christian 


Annual  Dinner.  305 

Knowledge  had  been  placed  upon  another  footing,  and  the  new 
Trust,  as  it  was  called,  had  already  done  an  immense  amount  of 
work  for  education  in  the  Highlands,  by  establishing  bursaries  for 
smart  boys,  and  otherwise  encouraging  higher  education.  Now  the 
•Government  were  coming  in  the  wake  of  that  Society,  and,  he 
thought,  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  the  country  would  have  a 
.liberal  system  of  secondary  education.  These  changes  were  of 
such  importance  that  they  had  every  reason  to  be  pleased.  Twenty- 
one  years  ago  they  could  never  have  expected  such  progress  to  be 
made  within  the  time  of  which  he  spoke.  He  was  not  going  to 
credit  the  whole  of  these  improvements  to  the  Gaelic  Society, 
but  he  thought  he  could  endorse  what  Dr  Macleod  had  said,  that 
they  had  contributed  in  their  own  humble  way  to  the  results  he 
had  mentioned.  He  would  be  inclined  to  go  further,  and  say 
that  the  Gaelic  Society  had  been  one  of  the  principal  agents  in 
bringing  about  the  improvements.  It  was  at  one  of  the  Society's 
meetings  that  Professor  Blackie  opened  the  campaign  for  a  Celtic 
•chair,  and  it  was  really  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society  that  the 
movement  was  started.  It  was  the  Society  that  started  and  carried 
on  the  agitation  for  the  recognition  of  Gaelic  in  schools — an  agita- 
tion which  had  borne  some  fruit  in  the  manner  in  which  Gaelic  was 
.now  treated  by  the  Education  Department.  Mr  Mackay,  proceed- 
ing, said  that  it  had  been  suggested  to  him  that  on  this  interesting 
occasion  it  would  not  be  out  of  place  for  him  to  refer  to  the  origin 
of  the  Society.  Twenty-one  years  was  a  long  time,  and  while  he 
was  sure  no  member  would  think  of  reaping  where  he  had  not 
.sown,  people's  memories  were  short,  and  it  was  advisable  to  put 
the  facts  on  record.  They  might  interest  future  members,  if  not 
the  present.  In  November,  1870,  Mr  Alexander  Mackenzie,  now 
•of  the  Scottish  Highlander,  suggested  at  a  meeting  of  the  Inverness 
Literary  Institute  that  a  Gaelic  Society  should  be  started  in 
Inverness.  The  suggestion  appeared  in  the  Inverness  Advertiser 
of  13th  December,  but,  excellent  though  it  was,  the  time  was  not 
quite  ripe,  and  no  steps  were  taken  to  carry  it  into  effect.  On 
5th  May,  1871,  Mr  William  Mackenzie  ("U.  M'C."),  now  Secre- 
tary to  the  Crofters'  Commission,  but  then  a  teacher  in  Raining's 
School,  wrote  in  the  Advertiser  urging  that  a  "Celtic  Debating 
Society"  should  be  started.  This  was  followed  by  letters  from 
(among  others)  "  F.  D.  G."  in  the  Advertiser  of  9th  May;  "J.  Mac." 
and  "  Mealfuarvonie"  (Mr  Mackay  himself)  in  that  paper's  issue  of 
the  12th;  and  "Caberfeidh"  (Mr  Mackenzie,  Maryburgh),  and 
"  Clachnacudain"  (Mr  Alexander  Mackenzie)  in  the  issue  of  the 
16th.  The  correspondence  showed  a  desire  to  have  something 

20 


306  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

more  than  a  mere  debating  society,  and  the  result  of  meetings 
between  Mr  Alexander  Mackenzie,  Mr  William  Mackenzie,  Mr  John 
Murdoch,  and  Mr  Mackay,  was  that  Mr  Mackay  issued  circulars  to 
such  as  were  thought  favourable  to  the  proposal,  requesting  them 
to  meet  in  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  on 
the  evening  of  Thursday,  4th  September,  1871.  He  also  inserted 
the  following  advertisement  (the  first  connected  with  the  Society)/ 
in  the  Inverness  Courier  of  that  date  : — 

"  COMUNN  GAELIC  INBHERNIS. 

Tha  e  air  a  runachadh  COMUNN  GAELIC  a  chuir  suas  anns  a 
bhaile  so  ;  uime  sin,  tha  e  gu  h-araid  air  iarraidh  air  gach  neach 
leis  a  miannach  an  gnothach  fhaicinn  a'  soirbheachadh  cruin- 
ucachadh  ann  an  SEOMAR  UACHDARACH  COCHOMUINN  NAN  DAOIN' 
OGA,  aig  ochd  uairean  a  nochd  (Diardaoin)." 

The  meeting  was  well  attended  ;  and,  as  set  forth  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  Transactions,  the  Society  was  established.  Mr 
Mackay  exhibited  certain  papers  connected  with  the  starting  of 
the  Society,  of  which  the  following  may  be  of  interest : — 

/.   Bill  of  Inaugural   Lecture. 

INVERNESS   GAELIC   SOCIETY. 


THE      INAUGURAL      LECTURE 

WILL   BE    DELIVERED 

On  THURSDAY,  Wth  October, 

IN   THE   HALL   OF   THE 

ASSOCIATION  BUILDINGS,   1   CASTLE   STREET, 

BY   THE 

REV.  A.  D.  MACKENZIE,  OF  KILMORACK. 

Subject — "  The  Position  of  Gaelic  ;  and  its  value  to  the  Linguist,  the 
Pre-historic  Enquirer,  and  the  Ethnologist." 

Sir  KENNETH  *.  MACKENZIE  of  Gairloch,  Bart.,  in  the  chair. 

Admission—  Lady  and  Gentleman,  One  Shilling.     Members  Free.     Tickets  to. 
be  had  at  the  Booksellers. 

Chair  to  be  taken  at  8  P.M. 
Inverness,  13th  October,  1871. 


Annual  Dinner.  307 

//.   Circular  Issued  by  the  Council. 

"  67  Church  Street, 
"Inverness,  January,  1872. 

"  SIR, 

"  I  beg  to  send  you  herewith  a  copy  of  the  Constitution 
of  the  lately  founded  GAELIC  SOCIETY  of  INVERNESS,  with  a  list  of 
Office-bearers  for  the  current  year. 

"  The  objects  of  the  Society  are,  you  will  observe,  to  promote 
the  study  of  Gaelic  Literature  and  Antiquities ;  generally  to 
forward  the  interests  of  Highlanders  ;  and  to  form  a  bond  of  union 
among  the  Sons  of  the  Gael  at  home  and  abroad. 

"A  Library  is  being  formed  in  this  town,  of  Gaelic  books, 
manuscripts,  and  books  relating  to  Celtic  matters,  or  in  any  respect 
of  special  interest  to  Highlanders.  The  Council  are  certain  that 
there  are  many  books  at  present  lying  in  private  libraries  through- 
out the  country,  which  are  comparatively  useless  to  their  owners, 
and,  in  some  instances,  perhaps  never  looked  at,  but  which  would 
be  esteemed  of  much  value  to  the  Society.  The  Council,  therefore, 
earnestly  appeal  to  parties  who  are  in  possession  of  such  literature, 
and  hope  they  may  help  the  Society  and  the  cause  they  have  at 
heart,  by  forwarding  the  same  to  any  of  the  gentlemen  mentioned 
below,  or  to  the  Subscriber.  Valuable  donations  have  already 
been  made  by  gentlemen  renowned  in  Celtic  and  other  literature, 
and  the  Council  are  confident  that  this  appeal  will  be  heartily 
responded  to  by  many  who  may  not  have  yet  heard  of  the  existence 
of  the  Gaelic  Society,  but  who,  at  the  same  time,  are  equally 
desirous  to  further  the  objects  which  the  Society  have  in  view. 

"  The  Council  would  further  beg  to  draw  attention  to  the  fact, 
that,  with  the  exception  of  the  Advocates'  Library  at  Edinburgh, 
there  is  no  public  repository  of  Celtic  Literature  in  Scotland;  and 
they  consider  this  a  further  claim  for  establishing  such  a  Librarv 
in  the  Capital  of  the  Highlands,  which,  above  all  other  places, 
ought  to  be  the  centre  for  matters  relating  to  the  Highlands.  It 
would  be  well,  when  any  information  is  required,  either  by  private 
individuals  or  public  bodies,  as  to  the  literature,  history,  statistics, 
&c.,  of  the  Gaelic  nations,  that  there  should  be  some  recognised 
place  in  Scotland  where  such  information  could  be  obtained  ;  and 
the  Gaelic  Society  hope,  ere  long,  to  be  able  to  supply  that 
desideratum. 

"  Should  the  funds  of  the  Society  admit,  a  Gaelic  periodical  will 
be  issued,  as  well  as  a  yearly  volume  containing  their  more 
immediate  transactions  ;  but  to  attain  that  object,  it  is  evident 
that  the  Council  will  have  to  appeal  to  the  liberality,  the  intel- 


308  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

ligence,  and  the  patriotism  of  all  who  are  of  Celtic  descent,  or  who 
desire  to  widen  the  gates  of  knowledge. 

"  The  Council  trust  that  the  objscts  contemplated  will  meet 
your  approbation,  and  it  will  give  them  much  pleasure  to  enrol 
you  amongst  the  members.  Members  at  a  distance  may  co-operate 
with  those  in  town,  by  contributing  papers  which  may  be  read  by 
proxy  at  the  meetings  of  the  Society. 
"  I  remain, 

"  Your  obedient  Servant, 

"  WILLIAM  MACKAY,  Secretary. 

"  Books,  Manuscripts,  and  Contributions  to  the  Funds  of  the 
Society,  will  be  received  by  the  following  : — 

"  Mr  JOHN  MURDOCH,  Academy  Street,  Inverness. 

"Mr  JOHN  MACKINTOSH,  M.A.,  Rector,  Old  Academy,  Inverness. 

"  Mr  W.  MACKINNON  BANNATYN^  Royal  Academy,  Inverness. 

"  Mr  JOHN  MACDONALD,  The  Exchange,  Inverness. 

"  Mr  JOHN  NOBLE,  Bookseller,  Inverness." 

Mr  Mackay  coupled  the  toast  with  the  names  of  Mr  Duncan 
Campbell  of  the  Northern  Chronicle,  and  Mr  Robertson,  H.M. 
Inspector  of  Schools,  both  of  whom  had  done  great  service  in  the 
cause  of  literature  and  education  in  the  Highlands. 

Mr  Duncan  Campbell  said  he  did  not  admit  that  the  parish 
school  system  failed,  except  in  the  towns,  where  English  and  Irish 
mixed  largely  with  the  population.  Referring  to  the  volume  of 
Transactions  just  issued,  he  attached  much  importance  to  the 
Gaelic  version  of  "  William  Tell,"  which  appeared  as  an  appendix, 
and  stated  that  in  its  translation  Mrs  Grant  had  proved,  against 
popular  opinion,  that  the  Gaelic  language  was  suited  for  the 
rendering  of  blank  verse. 

Mr  Robertson,  in  replying  for  the  educational  part  of  the  toast, 
spoke  of  the  primary  importance  of  education  in  the  present  stage 
of  the  development  of  the  Highlands.  So  far  as  the  Government 
was  concerned,  the  amount  of  money  expended  in  the  remoter 
parts  of  the  Highlands  was  astonishing ;  and  with  regard  to  the 
migration  to  which  Dr  Macleod  had  referred,  he  regarded  it  as  a 
healthy  restlessness,  indicating  as  it  did  that  the  people  were 
endeavouring  to  rise  above  their  uncongenial  surroundings,  ;uid 
gain  a  wider  and  more  remunerative  sphere  of  usefulness. 
Speaking  of  the  committees  appointed  to  report  upon  the  establish- 
ment of  secondary  schools,  he  expressed  the  hope  that  the  grant 
for  the  object  would  be  increased,  and  that  the  result  of  the 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan.  309 

Government's  liberal  encouragement  would  be  to  make  the  higher 
branches  of  education  as  successful  as  elementary  education  had 
been  in  the  Highlands. 

Other  toasts  followed,  songs  were  sung,  and  a  most  successful 
meeting  concluded  with  the  whole  company  singing  "Auld 
Lang  Syne." 


,9th  FEBRUARY,  1893. 

At  this  meetirg,  Mr  Duncan  Campbell,  editor,  Northern 
Chronicle ;  Mr  Alexander  Mackenzie,  editor,  Scottish  High- 
lander ;  and  Mr  Duncan  Mackintosh,  secretary,  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  draw  up  a  petition  to  the  War  Office  against  the 
proposed  change  in  the  dress  of  the  79th  Cameron  Highlanders, 
according  to  the  resolution  carried  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the 
Society  held  on  31st  ult.  Thereafter  the  Secretary  read  a  paper 
contributed  by  Mr  Charles  Eraser-Mackintosh  of  Drummond  on 
"  The  Frasers  of  Guisachan,  styled  Mac-Huistean."  Mr  Mackin- 
tosh's paper  was  as  follows  : — 

MINOR  HIGHLAND  FAMILIES,  No.  VI. 

THE  FRASERS  OF  GUISACHAN  (CULBOKIE),  STYLED 

MAC-HUISTEAN. 

Just  a  hundred  years  ago,  William  Fraser,  then  of  Guisachan, 
in  consulting  counsel  as  to  a  portion  of  the  once  extensive  family 
estates  which  he  thought  might  be  reclaimed,  says — "  His  prede- 
cessors were  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respectable  cadets  of  the 
family  of  Lovat,  and  considerable  proprietors  in  the  counties  of 
Inverness  and  Ross."  What  the  Laird  said  is  true,  but  it  is  also 
unfortunately  true  that  at  the  present  the  family  is  no  longer  on 
the  roll  of  landowners  in  the  county  of  Inverness  ;  therefore,  while 
materials  remain,  let  us  endeavour  to  record  the  outlines  of  its 
history  and  descent. 

The  name  of  Guisachan,  in  itself  a  Davoch  land  of  old  extent, 
is  first  found  1206-1221,  in  an  agreement  betwixt  the  Bishop 
of  Moray  and  John  Bissett.  The  description  of  the  lands 
in  a  family  deed  of  1797  is  thus  given  —  "All  and  whole 
the  town  and  lands  of  the  two  Guisachans  and  Frigay,  other- 
wise called  Meikle  and  Mid  Guisachans,  with  the  pertinents 
of  the  same,  viz.,  Hillton,  Ballacladdich,  Balblair,  Easter  and 


310  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Wester  Achnaheglash,  Gortan-nan-niu,  Glassach,  Alt-garte,  and 
Toilour,  lying  within  the  parish  of  Conventh,  Regality  of  Lovat, 
and  Sheriffdom  of  Inverness."  Achnaheglash  denotes  possession 
by  the  Church,  which  of  old  possessed  a  great  deal  of  lands  and 
fishings  in  Conventh  and  Kiltariity  parishes.  Hilton,  euphonious 
as  it  is,  is  but  a  poor  substitute  for  the  ancient  "  Knockan-na- 
crew,"  barbarously  spelt,  but  no  doubt  "  hillock  of  the  tree,"  and 
what  pleasant  scenes  are  pictured  in  the  "  Gortan  "  frequented  by 
the  maidens  ?  No  prettier  property  could  be  found  in  the  High- 
lands. It  had  mountain  and  valley,  wood  and  water,  with  a 
numerous  and  intelligent  people  cultivating  the  rich  soil  on  either 
side  of  its  river,  possessing  herds  and  flocks. 

Thomas,  accounted  by  Mr  Anderson  in  his  history  of  the 
Erasers  as  4th  Lord  Lovat,  married,  when  Master  of  Lovat,  Janet 
Gordon,  niece  of  the  Earl  of  Huntly,  and  had  three  sons — Hugh, 
his  successor ;  2nd,  William  ;  and  3ro7  James  of  Foynes.  This 

i.  WILLIAM  was  first  of  the  family  of  Guisachan,  which  lands 
he  received  in  patrimony  from  his  father  William  Eraser  of 
Guisachan  is  one  of  the  witnesses  to  a  contract  of  excambion  'twixt 
Mackenzie  of  Kintail  and  Ding  wall  of  Kildun,  of  date  :20th  June, 

1543.  Of  Guisachan  spring  the  families  of  Kinnairies,  Belladrum, 
Kyllachy,  etc.,  etc. 

William  Eraser's  brothers  Hugh,  5th  Lord  Lovat,  and  James 
of  Eoynes,  were  killed  at  the  battle  of  Blair-na-leine,  15th  July, 

1544.  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  William   himself  fell  at  Blair- 
na-leine  with  his  two  brothers.  The  contract  of  1546,  after  noticed, 
1    have  not   seen,    but  the   few    words  hereafter  quoted  from  a 
memorandum  made  sixty  years  ago  by  one  in  whose  possession  it 
then  was,  would  indicate  that  William  was  in  life  at  that  date.  He 
is  certainly  dead  by  1556.     In  the  year  1815  Glengarry,  who  had 
heard  that  there  was  an  old  manuscript  of  the  battle  in  possession 
of  Culbokie,  applied  for  a  perusal.     Culbokie's  reply,  from  Balblair 
Cottage,  on  the  12th  April,  says — "  Certainly,  I  do  recollect  to  have 
seen  at  Guisachan  an  imperfect  manuscript  account  of  the  battle 
of  Blair-na-leine.     But  really  I  am  much  at  a  loss  to  know  what  is 
become  of  it,  though  I  think  it  must  be  still  in  the  house  there, 
and   I  am  to  be   up  in  a  very  few  days,  and  will  make  a  strict 
search  for  it,  and  if  it  be  found,  as  I   trust,  my  friend  Glengarry 
will  be  most  welcome  to  the  perusal  of  it."     Again,  dating  from 
Guisachan,  on  the  18th  April,  he  says — "  After  much  search  here, 
as  promised  in  my  letter  to  you  a  few  days  ago,  I  am  sorry  to  say 
it  has  defied  me  to  lay  my  hands  on  Blair-na-leine.     I  hope,  how- 
ever,  my   sisters   at   Banff  [Mrs   Macdouell  of  Scotos,   and    Miss 


The  Erasers  of  Guisachan.  311 

Margaret  Fraser — C.F.M.],  who  set  even  more  value  011  it  than  I 
•did,  may  know  something  of  it.  I  will  immediately  enquire  of 
them,  and,  if  the  manuscript  can  be  found,  the  chief  may  be 
assured  he  shall  have  its  perusal." 

There  the  matter  rested,  and  I  draw  attention  to  it  now,  in 
case  this  interesting  document  may  yet  be  found  extant.1  Lord 
Lovat  had  sons,  and  the  direct  line  was  carried  on  ;  while  James  of 
Foynes  left  an  only  daughter,  Agnes,  who  married,  first,  John 
Glassach  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch,  and  secondly,  Alexander  Chisholm 
of  Comar.  Through  Agnes  Fraser  the  lines  of  Gairloch  and 
Chisholm  were  carried  on. 

James  of  Foynes,  in  the  year  1539,  had  a  life-rent  right  of 
Drumderfit,  and  two  years  before  his  death  got  a  charter  from 
Jai'nes  V.  to  him  and  his  heirs  male  of  the  lands  of  Culbokie, 
Kinkell-Clarsach,  Dochcairn,  Davochpollo,  and  Pitlundie,  all  in  the 
county  of  Ross.  The  destination  being  as  above  to  heirs  male, 
Agnes  did  not  succeed  to  them  on  her  father's  death.  James  of 
Foynes  does  not  appear  to  have  been  infeft  in  any  land  in 
Inverness-shire. 

William  of  Guisachan  had  one  daughter,  Agnes,  married  in 
1546  (contract  dated  1st  June)  to  John  Grant  of  Culcabock, 
known  as  "  lain-Mor-Tomantoul  ;"  she  in  the  Sasine  on  Culcabock, 
dated  7th  August,  1546,  being  termed  "honesta  mulier  Agneta 
Fraser,  filia  Gulielmi  Fraser  de  Guisachan,"  which  would  indicate 
that  William  was  alive.  My  Glenmoriston  Genealogy  is  erroneous 
in  stating  that  John  married  a  daughter  of  Lord  Lovat.  An 
apostolic  license  for  their  marriage,  without  distinguishing  desig- 
nations, is  in  my  possession,  dated  last  April,  1544.  The  Genealogy 
says  there  were  two  sons — Patrick  and  John,  and  that  Iain  Mor 
subsequently  married  the  widow  of  Erracht  (Ewen,  first  of  the  race 
of  the  "  Boddachs"  of  Erracht).  William  left  several  sons,  the 
eldest, 

n.  HUGH,  through  and  after  whom  the  patronymic  of  "  Mac- 
Huistean,"  who,  designing  himself  brother's  son  of  James  Fraser  of 
Foynes,  is  served  heir  male,  and  in  special  to  his  uncle  James,  in 
the  Ross-shire  lands,  of  date,  at  Inverness,  the  last  day  of  July, 
1556.  From  and  after  this  period,  the  head  of  the  family  in 
English  was  generally  called  "  Culbokie,"  and  this  continued  until 
the  time  of  the  late  Culbokie,  though  well  nigh  two  hundred  years 
had  passed  since  they  lost  the  last  of  their  Ross-shire  lands. 

1  In  a  manuscript  history  of  the  Frasers,  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  there 
is  a  full  account  of  the  battle,  which  I  have  since  published.  From  this  ic  is 
seen  that  Culbokie  fell  in  the  battle  ;  and  that  the  pride  of  Foynes  led  to  it. 


312  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

William's  second  son,  James  Fraser,  "in  Belladrum,"  brother 
german  to  Hucheon  of  Guisachan,  is  so  described  in  a  Bond  of 
Manrent  of  1578,  and  James'  son,  Hugh  Fraser,  was  the  first  of 
Belladrum,  receiving  a  charter  thereof  from  Simon,  8th  Lord' 
Lovat,  on  13th  June,  1598.  From  Belladrum  came  Dunballoch,. 
Fingask,  etc.,  etc. 

Hugh,  second  of  Guisachan,  married  Margaret  Munro,  of  the 
Milnton  Family.  In  1561  Hucheon  Fraser  of  Guisachan  is  found 
pursuing  John  Tawachter-vic-Eachin,  and  Christina,  Alexander 
Mackenzie's  daughter,  for  the  wrongous  and  masterful  occupation 
of  an  oxgang  and  a  half-oxgang  of  the  lands  of  Davochpollo.  Sir 
James  Buchart,  his  procurator,  appears  for  him  in  court,  and  gets 
decree  in  absence.  On  the  21st  March,  in  the  same  year,  he  is 
defender  in  a  process,  at  the  instance  of  John  Eobertson,  Treasurer 
of  Ross  ;  and  plaintiff  in  a  suit  against  George  Dunbar,  Parson  of 
Kilmuir.  In  the  same  year  Hugh  is  sflrety  for  Duncan-vic-Gillies 
of  Achmounie,  and  for  Catherine,  relict  of  John-vic-Gillies  of 
Achmounie.  In  1562  he  is  fined  for  not  attending  to  pass  as  an 
assizer  in  the  service  of  Hector  Mackenzie  to  his  father,  John- 
Glassich  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch.  In  the  same  year  he  is  pur- 
suing his  tenants  at  Culbokie,  for  witholding  their  rents,, 
and  warning  them  to  remove — one  liorie  Allanson  being 
a  chief  delinquent  In  1574  he  sold  Davochcairn  and 
Davochpollo  to  Gairloch,  and  in  1581,  the  lands  of  Kinkell- 
Clarsach  and  Pitlundie ;  getting  a  charter,  however,  of  Culbokie- 
Miln,  1581.  In  the  year  1583,  April  23rd,  Culbokie  and 
Foyers  were  in  trouble  with  Lord  Lovat,  and  had  to  give  security 
that  they  would  not  molest  his  Lordship's  woods  of  Strathglass, 
nor  the  Water  of  Forne,  and  others,  by  the  slaying  of  red  or  black 
fish,  nor  kill  his  deer,  as  also  should  follow  his  standard.  Reference 
is  made  to  Culbokie's  sons,  William,  Allister,  and  Hucheon.  Cul- 
bokie subscribes,  but  Foyers  cannot  write.  He  had  at  least  one 
daughter,  Janet,  married  to  Thomas  Chisholm,  apparent  of 
Comar,  and  she  is  infeft,  April,  1578,  in  the  Davoch  of  Wester 
Invercannich  and  Miln.  This  marriage  did  not  long  subsist,  and, 
Thomas  Chisholm  dying  without  issue,  Janet,  with  consent  of  her 
father  Hugh,  and  designing  herself  "  life  rentrix  of  Wester  Inver- 
cannich," enters  into  a  contract  of  marriage  with  Patrick  Grant  of 
Glenmoriston,  who  therein  bound  himself  te  infeft  her  in  his  land* 
of  Culcabock,  etc.  The  contract  was  not  registered,  so  that,  after 
Patrick's  death,  it  was  found  necessary  to  apply  to  the  Court  of 
Session  for  that  purpose.  Steps  were  taken  against  John  Grant  of 
Glenmoristou,  son  and  heir  of  Patrick  Grant,  John  "Reoch," 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan.  313 

and  James  Macculloch,  his  tutors  and  curators ;  and  upon 
1st  August,  1593,  the  Lords  of  Council  decerned  that  registra- 
tion be  made  in  their  books.  She  was  served  to  her  terce 
in  Glenmoriston  on  31st  July,  1587.  Janet  Fraser  was  left  in 
peace  in  her  jointure  lands  of  Invercannich  by  her  brother-in-law 
John  Chisholm,  and  had  questions  with  some  of  the  Glenmoriston 
tenants.  As  regards  Culcabock,  as  early  as  22nd  April,  1583,  she,, 
with  Lachlaii  Mackinnon,  then  her  spouse,  is  called  on,  as  pre- 
tended liferentrix  of  Culcabock,  in  the  Court  of  Session,  to  show 
her  right.  Here  the  first,  second,  and  third  marriages  followed 
very  quickly — 1575-1583. 

This  Hugh,  second  of  Culbokie,  alienated  all  his  Ross-shire 
lands,  with  the  exception  of  Culbokie,  between  the  years  1574  and 
1584,  and  died  in  May,  1587,  survived  by  Margaret  Munro,  who> 
on  29th  May  of  that  year,  is  served  to  her  terce  in  Culbokie. 

in.  ALEXANDER  FRASER,  the  eldest  surviving  son  (he  being 
second  in  order  in  the  Bond  of  1583  before  referred  to)  succeeded, 
and  on  16th  April,  1588,  is  served  heir  to  his  father  Hucheoii  in 
Guisachan.  On  10th  June,  1589,  he  is  retoured  to  Culbokie,  and 
infeft,  on  a  Precept  from  Chancery,  on  23rd  May,  1590.  Alexander 
married,  and  had  one  son,  Hucheon,  and  other  sons,  from  one  of 
whom,  according  to  family  tradition,  I  am  descended.  Alexander 
having  sons,  the  family  transaction  now  to  be  disclosed  was  highly 
discreditable.  Made  to  describe  himself  as  of  "  facile"  temper,  Alex- 
ander put  himself,  on  17th  April,  1588,  under  the  care  of  friends  as 
his  guardians  and  interdictors,  viz.,  Thomas  Fraser  of  Knockie  and 
Strichen  •  James  Fraser  in  Belladrum,  his  uncle ;  Andrew  Munro 
of  Newmore,  and  others,  and  granted,  tit  Milnton,  2nd  June,  1590, 
a  disposition  of  his  whole  estates  to  his  younger  brother,  Hucheon 
Fraser,  who  afterwards  got  his  title  confirmed  by  James  VI.,  2nd 
February,  1593.  A  more  cruel  and  barefaced  impetration,. 
sanctioned  by  relatives,  cannot  be  quoted.  Alexander,  thus  wiped 
out  of  his  inheritance,  is  still  described  as  "  Alexander  Fraser  of 
Guisachan "  in  the  service  of  John  Chisholm  of  Comar  to  his 
father  Alexander,  on  19th  December,  1590.  We  come  next  to  his 
brother, 

iv.  HUGH.  When  advanced  in  life,  this  laird  and  his  cousin, 
Hugh  Fraser  of  Belladrum  added  considerably  to  their  estates.. 
The  Lairds  of  Mackintosh  had  been,  since  the  year  1524, 
proprietors  of  the  whole  Barony  of  Drumchardiny  in  Kirkhill,  and 
of  parts  of  the  Barony  of  Aird,  including  the  half  davoch  of 
Kinnairies,  and  the  lands  of  Easter  Eskadale  in  Kiltarlity* 
Kinnairies  was  for  nearly  a  century,  from  llth  May,  1569,  under 


314  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

wadset  to  the  Chisholms.  The  well-known  Colonel  Hugh  of 
Kinuairies  is  said  by  some  to  have  been  a  younger  son  of  this 
Hugh,  while  others  say  he  was  grandson  of  Alexander,  the 
third  Culbokie.  In  the  year  1616,  Sir  Lachlan  Mackintosh, 
from  necessity,  in  his  struggles  with  Huntly  ani  Lochiel, 
was  obliged  to  part  with  all  his  Aird  estates.  This  corning  to  the 
ears  of  Lord  Lovat,  he  desired  Culbokie  and  Belladrum  to  bargain 
for  him  with  Mackintosh.  In  place  of  doing  so  they  bargained  for 
themselves,  to  Lovat's  deep  annoyance.  Cnlbokie  took  Drum- 
chardiny,  getting  a  Crown  charter,  20th  December,  1616, 
while  Belladrum  took  Holm,  now  called  Lentran,  getting  a 
charter  same  day.  Upon  6th  October,  1608,  he  is  on  the 
Jury  in  the  service  of  Simon  Lord  Lovat.  In  1620  Phopachy 
is  said  to  have  been  mortgaged  by  Lovat  to  Culbokie.  Hugh's 
name  is  embodied  in  the  agreement  of  1628  for  the  protection  of 
game  amongst  some  of  the  Inverness Und  Ross  Lairds,  but  he  does 
not  sign,  while  that  of  his  son  and  successor,  William  of  Drum- 
chardiny,  though  not  named,  is  appended.  Hugh  is  one  of  the 
Jury  in  the  general  service  of  Simon  Lord  Lovat  to  his  great 
grandfather,  9th  July,  1629.  To  Hugh's  credit  or  discredit  it  has 
to  be  recorded  that  he  disinherited  his  brother,  and  circumvented 
his  chief. 

v.  WILLIAM  FRASRR,  styled  at  different  times  "of  Guisachan," 
"of  Culbokie,"  "of  Drumchardiny,"  eldest  son  of  Hugh, 
succeeded  and  got  a  charter  to  Guisachan,  Kingillie,  Kyllachy, 
Groam,  etc.,  from  Lord  Lovat,  on  which  he  was  infeft,  23rd  May, 
1634,  and  on  26th  May  he  is  served  heir  to  his  father  in  the  lands 
held  of  the  Crown,  viz.,  Culbokie,  Drumchardiny,  etc.  He  is  a 
juryman,  26th  July,  1640,  in  the  special  service  of  Hugh,  Master 
of  Lovat,  to  his  brother,  and  again,  on  30th  March,  1647,  in  the 
special  service  of  Hugh,  Lord  Lovat,  to  his  father.  William  had, 
at  least,  one  brother  (Alexander),  referred  to  in  1636,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  Glenmoriston  Genealogy,  was  first  married  to  a  daughter 
of  John  Doun,  5th  of  Glenmoriston,  and  afterwards  married 
Christina  Chisholm,  apparently  sister  to  Alexander  Chisholm  of 
Comar.  In  1636  Hugh,  Lord  Lovat,  dispones  the  lands  of  Comar, 
Croy,  to  Culbokie,  who  was  infeft  and  had  a  Crown  charter  of 
confirmation ;  yet,  it  is  obvious  that  the  purchase  was  for 
Chisholm.  seeing  that  little  more  than  a  year  thereafter  Culbokie, 
with  consent  of  his  wife  and  his  son  Hugh,  dispones  to  the 
Chisholm,  and  it  still  remains  part  of  the  Chisholm  estates. 

In  1640  he  acquired  further  rights  to  the  lands  of  Kingillie, 
now  incorporated  into  Newton  estate.  He  represented  the  county 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan.  315 

of  Inverness  in  Parliament,  in  the  years  1649,  1650,  1651  ;  and  in 
1658  he  is  still  found  as  proprietor.  One  of  his  daughters, 
Magdalen,  according  to  Mr  Mackenzie's  History,  married,  in  1633, 
John  Mackenzie,  second  of  Orel.  Another  daughter,  Agnes,  appears 
to  have  been  married  three  times  ;  first  to  Kenneth  Mackenzie 
of  Inverlaul,  according  to  Mr  Mackenzie,  but  this  marriage  is  not 
recorded  in  my  Culbokie  Genealogy  ;  secondly,  in  1629,  to  Alex- 
ander Mackenzie  of  .Hal lone  (brother  to  Sir  John  Mackenzie  of 
Tarbat),  with  issue,  Alexander,  Jane,  and  Margaret ;  and  thirdly 
^{contract  dated  Kingellie,  12th  January,  1650),  as  his  second  wife, 
the  Honourable  Simon  Mackenzie  of  Lochslyne,  youngest  son  of 
the  first  Lord  Kintail,  and  first  of  the  Allangrange  family.  Jane 
Mackenzie  married,  secondly,  Alexander  Mackenzie,  4th  of  Loggie, 
.above  mentioned,  having  married  Simon  Mackenzie,  second  of 
Lochslyne,  son  of  the  above  Honourable  Simon  Mackenzie,  by  his 
first  marriage,  it  followed  that  Agnes  Fraser  was  both  mother-in- 
law  and  stepmother  to  Simon  Mackenzie,  second  of  Lochslyne. 
Margaret,  Agnes'  second  daughter,  married  (1st),  in  1670,  Sir 
Roderick  Mackenzie  of  Findon,  with  issue,  and  (2nd)  Colin  Mac- 
kenzie of  Mountgerald,  without  issue.  William  was  succeeded  by 
his  son, 

vi.  HUGH,  erroneously  called  "  James,  younger  of  Culbokie," 
-one  of  the  attenders  at  the  funeral  at  Holyrood,  of  Hugh,  Master 
of  Lovat,  May,  1643,  who  was  served  heir  to  his  father  in  the 
lands  held  of  the  Crown,  12th  April,  1670  He  married  Agnes 
Fraser  of  Stray.  In  his  time  and  during  part  of  his  father's, 
involvements,  cautionary  and  otherwise,  of  a  serious  nature 
took  place.  The  whole  estates  in  Ross  and  Inverness  were 
adjudged  by  Sir  Roderick  Mackenzi?  of  Findon  and  others. 
It  was  not  difficult  for  the  powerful  Mackenzie,  whose  wife 
Margaret  was  Culbokie's  niece,  to  dispossess  Culbokie  of  his 
Ross-shire  estates,  which,  accordingly,  from  and  after  1672, 
remained  with  Findon,  passing  through  the  eldest  daughter, 
Lilias,  who  married  Sir  Kenneth  Mackenzie  of  Scatwell,  into  that 
family.  In  1673,  Hugh  gave  a  long  lease  to  his  brother, 
Alexander,  of  Kyllacby,  a  detached  piece  of  land  lying  in  the  parish 
of  Kiltarlity.  The  manner  in  which  this  quarter  land  of  Kyllachy 
was  reclaimed,  more  than  a  hundred  years  after,  will  be  mentioned 
later  on.  In  1676,  Hugh  is  infeft  in  the  lands  formerly  belong- 
ing to  Mackintosh.  Alexander  Fraser,  then  of  Kinnairies,  and 
James  Fraser,  first  of  the  Dunballoch  family,  in  the  years  1676 
and  1677,  adjudicated  the  Barony  of  Drumchardiny  and  the  lands 
of  Kingillie,  etc.,  but  Hugh  Fraser  retained  actual  possession  of 


316  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Guisachan,  dying  at  Kingillic  in  the  month  of  June,  1678 ;: 
Kinnairies  and  Dunballoch  received  charters  of  adjudication,  and 
all  these  lands,  like  Culbokie,  now  fell  away  from  the  family  for 
ever.  Hugh  Fraser  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

vn.  WILLIAM,  who,  in  1683  described  as  "son  and  heir  of  the 
late  Hugh  Fraser  of  Guisachan,"  had  a  most  precarious  hold  on 
Guisachan,  the  ou\y  remaining  part  of  the  estates.  Kinnairies  and 
Dunballoch  in  1699  transacted  their  respective  interests  in  the 
former  Culbokie  lands,  and  Kinnairies  raised  a  loan,  wherefor  his 
heir  being  unable  to  pay  when  the  money  was  repayable,  all 
interests  were  in  1711  adjudged.  A  charter  of  adjudication 
following,  was  the  foundation  of  the  right  whereby  Thomas  Fraser, 
second  of  Dunballoch,  sneeringly  described  by  Culbokie  as  "  bred  a 
vryter  in  Edinburgh,"  and  by  Simon  Lord  .Lovat  in  his  memoirs  as 
a  "little  knave  of  a  Fraser,"  entered  i^to  possession  of  what  is  known 
now  as  the  Newton  Estate.  Had  Culbokie  been  in  a  position  to 
redeem  or  purge  the  adjudication,  the  amount  would  be  a  trifle 
compared  to  the  value  of  the  share  of  the  estate,  even  at  that  period. 
Alexander  Frasev  of  Kinnairies,  who  had  then  got  into  difficulties 
himself,  behaved  well  to  Culbokie,  considering  the  disinheritance 
of  1590,  for  he  disponed  Guisachan  to  William  Fraser,  eldest  lawful 
son  of  William  Fraser  of  Culbokie,  to  which  he  had  right  by 
Charter  of  Resignation,  on  the  narrative  of  "  the  love  and  favour 
I  have  and  bear  to  William  Fraser,  son  and  heir  of  William 
Fraser  of  Culbokie,  as  the  apparent  stock  of  the  family  whereof  I 
am  descended,  and  the  vigorous  inclinations  T  have  to  raise  and 
uphold  that  family,"  by  disposition  dated  at  Lovat,  6th  April,  1706, 
in  presence  of  David  Poison  of  Kinmylies,  Hugh  Fraser,  his  sou, 
and  John  Chisholm  of  Knockfin.  There  is  a  curious  reservation  of 
half  the  woods  so  long  as  Kinnairies  or  his  heirs  male  held  any 
lands  in  the  county,  assignees,  however,  being  excluded. 

William  Fraser  was  one  of  those,  involved  in  1698  as  being  art 
and  part  in  the  Lady  Lovat  outrage.  Among  the  Athole  papers  is 
a  letter  in  May  of  that  year,  signed  "S.  Fraser,"  to  the  Marquis  of 
Athole  regarding  Culbokie,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 
— "  Since  I  wrote  last  to  your  lordship,  Culbokie  has  made  appli- 
cation to  the  Governor  of  Beaufort,  and  he,  upon  security  of  his 
appearance  at  Dunkeld,  or  wherever  your  lordship  will  be  pleased 
to  call  him  to,  has  granted  him  protection.  He  seems  to  be  very 
sensible  of  his  error,  and  faithfully  promises  in  time  coming  to  be 
very  steadfast  to  my  Lady  Lovat's  interest.  He  gives  a  very 
dismal  account  of  his  Highland  friends." 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan  317 

This  William  Fraser  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  also  named 

vin.  WILLIAM,  who  was  one  of  the  heads  of  Highland  families 
who  signed  the  address  to  George  the  First,  the  non-delivery  or 
acknowledgment  of  which  was  one  of  the  great  causes  of  the  rising 
of  1715.  He  it  was  who  received  a  charter  of  the  lands  of  Kiu- 
nairies,  as  before  mentioned,  in  his  father's  lifetime,  of  date  6th 
April,  1706.  He  took  measures  to  redeem  the  position  of  the 
family,  and  paid  off  a  wadset  over  Mid-Guisachan  to  Knockim, 
which  had  come  by  progress  to  Fraser  of  Kinnairies,  and  also 
acquired  Kinnairies'  lands  of  Fanellan.  By  1741,  Alexander 
Fraser  of  Kinnairies  was  dead,  and  his  only  son,  Hugh,  was  also 
dead,  without  issue,  survived  by  sisters  only,  when  the  direct 
male  line  of  Kinnairies  became  extinct. 

William  acted  as  judicial  factor  in  the  ranking  and  sale  of  the 
remainder  of  the  Kinnairies  estates.  As  factor,  he  is  excused 
accounting  for  the  rents  of  Fanellan  and  the  quarter  lands  of  Kil- 
tarlity  for  years  1744  and  1745,  in  respect  that  "the  multures  of 
the  Miln  of  Fanellan  were,  during  the  time  of  the  late  rebellion, 
for  the  said  two  years,  as  well  as  the  haill  rents,  carried  off  and 
destroyed." 

A  younger  son,  Simon,  described  as  "in  Crochel,"  is  found  in 
1746.  One  daughter  is  believed  to  have  married  Fraser  of  Auch- 
nacloich,  and  another,  Fraser  of  Aigas.  His  eldest  daughter, 
Margaret,  married  Robert  Fraser,  younger  of  Muilzie — contract 
dated  Guisachan,  23rd  August,  1751.  Among  the  witnesses  are 
Hugh  Fraser,  son  to  Hugh  Fraser  of  Muilzie,  and  Simon  Fraser, 
son  to  Kilbockie.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

ix.  WILLIAM  FRASER,  who,  on  1st  July,  1755,  is  served  heir  male 
of  line,  and  of  provision  in  general  to  William  Fraser,  late  of 
Culbokie,  his  father,  eldest  lawful  son  of  the  deceased  William 
Fraser  of  Culbokie.  Upon  10th  December,  1756,  he  received  a 
Crown  Charter  (the  Lovat  family,  the  former  superiors,  being  under 
forfeiture),  containing  not  only  Guisachan,  but  also  the  lands  of 
Lurg,  and  Bridaig  of  Fanellan,  in  Kiltarlity,  whereon  he  was  enrolled 
as  a  freeholder.  In  the  year  1825,  William  Fraser,  then  of  Cul- 
bokie, was  applied  to  for  information  as  to  his  family,  and  his  reply 
has  been  preserved.  From  it  I  make  the  following  extract : — 
*'  The  fact  is  thus — My  father,  when  very  young,  was  engaged 
with  his  unfortunate  chief  in  the  ill-advised  and  miserably  termi- 
nated adventure  of  the  1745.  The  consequence  was  that  in  the 
remorseless  and  unjustifiable  spirit  of  those  days,  though  my 
grandfather  was  still  alive  and  not  implicated,  he  being  possessed 
of  the  property,  still  the  family  mansion  was  burnt,  and  with  it 


318  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

all  the  family  papers,  manuscripts,  etc.,  were  destroyed.  The 
family,  thus  depressed,  and  my  father — though  after  the  Act  of 
Indemnity  and  his  father's  death  left  in  possession  of  this  property 
— had  not  much  turn  for  genealogy,  so  that  nothing  of  what  was 
lost  was  recovered  or  reinstated  ;  and  you  are  aware  I  passed  my 
early  days  abroad,  so  that  I  am  quite  in  the  dark." 

William  Fraser,  "younger  of  Culbokie,"  is  included  in  the  Lists 
of  Insurgents  to  be  prosecuted,  his  accusation,  "  Captain  of  the 
Frasers  under  Inverallochie,"  and  the  witnesses  to  give  evidence 
against  him  were  William  Fraser,  tenant,  and  Simon  Fraser,  alias 
Miller,  and  Peter  Gow,  alias  Smith,  gardener,  all  residing  in 
Beauly,  who,  I  trust,  were  unwilling  witnesses.  The  Culbokies, 
father  and  son,  were  homeless  ;  yet,  I  cannot  but  think  that  the 
younger  man,  though  a  fugitive,  from  his  knowledge  of  the 
country,  must  have  given  great  hel^,  and,  perhaps,  afforded  com- 
panionship to  Prince  Charles.  On  23rd  July,  1746,  Charles 
Edward  was  in  the  Braes,  between  Glenmoriston  and  Strathglass  ; 
24th,  in  a  cave,  where  he  was  found  by  the  Glenmoriston  men  ; 
August  1st,  in  the  woods  and  eheilings  of  Strathglass,  till  the 
7th;  and  on  the  18th,  at  Fasnakyle.  It  is  not  a  little  singular, 
considering  the  minute  details  we  have  of  his  wanderings  in  the 
West  and  Islands,  how  little  is  known  of  his  sojourn  in  the  Braes. 
of  Strathglass. 

To  give  a  vote  to  the  Honourable  Archibald  Fraser  of  Lovat, 
Culbokie  granted  a  feu  charter  to  Thomas  Fraser  of  Auehnacloich,. 
and  a  Wadset  Disposition  to  Archibald  Fraser,  in  the  year  1760, 
redeemable  at  Whitsunday,  1772,  which  remained  unreealled  for 
37  years.  On  his  death-bed  Culbokie  was  anxious  to  get  these 
deeds  cancelled,  and  his  son  enrolled.  Probably  the  last  letter  he 
wrote  was  on  this  subject,  dated  Guisachan,  29th  July,  1797, 
dying  two  days  after.  The  Lovat  Estates  being  restored  in  their 
entirety,  the  Superiorities  revived,  and  the  succeeding  Culbokie 
had  to  purchase  his  Superiority,  when  the  great  sale  of  the  Lovat 
Superiorities  took  place  in  the  beginning  of  the  century.  Before 
this  time,  wood  had  become  in  demand  ;  the  natural  firs  of  Strath- 
glass deservedly  possessed  a  high  reputation,  and  none  more  than 
Guisachan,  as  demonstrated  by  the  name. 

In  1796  Culbokie  entered  into  a  fifteen  years'  contract  of  the 
woods  with  Thomas  Stevenson,  junior,  merchant  in  Oban,  at  a 
rent  of  £160  a-year.  As  the  woods  were  described  as  situated  not 
only  possible,  but  convenient  for  floating,  the  contractor,  after 
trial  of  the  Diag,  got  out  of  his  bad  bargain,  allc^iiijr  that  he  might 
as  well  have  purchased  "  a  forest  in  the  internal  parts  of  America." 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan.  319 

Later  fl( .atings  during  floods  from  the  Chisholm  and  other  estates 
created  such  damage  to  the  river  banks  of  the  Strathglass  owners 
that  they  became  frequent  subjects  of  dispute  in  the  Courts  of 
Law. 

William  Fraser  married  Mary  Macdonell  of  Ardnabie,  of  a 
handsome  race,  herself  a  lady  of  singular  beauty  and  accomplish- 
ments, known  as  the  "  pride  of  Glengarry,"  daughter  of  John 
Macdonell,  wadsetter  of  Ardnabie,  and  Mary  Macdonell  of  Glen- 
garry. This  family  held  a  good  position,  for  I  find  Angus, 
Macdonell  of  Ardnabie  as  early  as  1643,  the  wadset  not  being 
extinguished  until  the  year  1807.  The  families  were  formerly 
connected  ;  for  the  Glenmoriston  MS.  Genealogy  states  that  of 
the  daughters  of  John  Douri  the  fifth,  one  was  Mrs  Fraser  of 
Culbokie  before-mentioned,  wife  of  William,  the  fifth  Culbokie,. 
another  Mrs  Macdonell  of  Ardnabie. 

William,  this  laird,  'twixt  1750  and  1760,  built  the  very 
substantial,  suitable  mansion-house  of  Guisachan,  which  was  much 
admired,  and  was  for  so  many  years  the  abode  of  a  talented 
family.  Mrs  Fraser,  celebrated  for  her  knowledge  of  Gaelic  and 
music,  had  made  a  collection  of  Gaelic  manuscripts  and  music, 
which  were,  unfortunately,  carried  to  America  in  1773  by  one  of 
the  family  possessed  of  similar  tastes,  and  through  his  misfortunes 
as  a  Loyalist  in  the  wars  his  home  was  wrecked  and  the  papers 
have  long  since  disappeared.  Culbokie's  sons  were — Major 
Archibald  Fraser;  John,  described  in  1774  as  Captain  John, 
thereafter  of  the  Island  of  Dominica,  who  died  in  Edinburgh  ;  and 
Captain  Simon.  The  daughters  were — Annie,  married  in  1788 
to  Eneas  Macdonell,  younger  of  Scotos,  and  great  grand- 
mother of  the  present  Glengarry  ;  Margaret,  who  died  unmarried; 
Jean,  third  daughter,  who,  on  4th  September,  1792,  married 
John  Chisholm  of  Knockfm ;  Mary,  the  fourth  daughter,  died 
unmarried.  Margaret  Fraser  was  long  on  terms  which  would  have 
probably  ended  in  marriage  with  Dr  John  Fraser,  R.N.,  described 
"  as  descended  of  the  family  of  Culbokie,"  but  who,  tin  fortunately, 
happened  to  be  serving  on  the  war  ship  "  Queen  Charlotte  "  when 
the  vessel  blew  up.  Dr  Fraser  in  his  will,  dated  17th  May,  1798, 
and  drawn  up  by  himself,  left  several  bequests,  and  as  regards  the 
-residue,  which  was  of  some  value,  he  uses  these  words: — "And 
from  the  respect  and  esteem  I  have  and  bear  to  and  for  the  family 
of  William  Fraser,  late  of  Culbokie,  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath 
all  the  rest,  residue  and  remainder,  of  my  property  and  estate  of 
every  kind  and  nature  wheresoever  situated,  unto  Miss  Margaret 
Fraser,  second  daughter  of  him,  the  said  William  Fraser  of 


320  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'Culbokie,  to  be  payable  on  the  day  of  her  marriage,  and  then  settled 
upon  herself  and  her  issue." 

One  of  the  executors,  the  well  known  Mr  Alexander  Fraser  of 
Lincoln's  Inn  ("  Sandy  Leadclune "),  insisted  that  until  Miss 
Fraser  married  she  could  derive  no  benefit,  and  the  lady  at  this 
time  (1802),  though  she  would  probably  have  married  her  old 
flame,  was  long  past  all  thoughts  of  marriage  otherwise.  This 
incident,  an  illustration  of  the  awkwardness  and  danger  of  making 
one's  own  will,  was  solved  by  an  agreement  with  Miss  Fraser's, 
Scoros  nephews  and  niece,  the  beneficiaries  in  contingent 
remainder. 

William  Fraser,  who  had  long  been  in  feeble  health,  survived 
his  wife,  and  died  at  Gnisachan  on  31st  July,  1797,  aged  74.  The 
obituary  notice  is  ordered  to  contain  nothing  except  that  he  is 
"  deeply  regretted."  He  was  so  ill  in  February  that  his  daughter, 
Mrs  Macdonell  of  Scotos,  could  ndt  leave  him  to  see  her  sister-in- 
law,  poor  "  Katie "  Scotos,  who  had  been  visiting  at  Erchless 
Castle,  and  died  of  what  was  formerly  called  "  a  galloping  consump- 
tion" at  Inverness  on  29th  January.  The  younger  Culbokie 
ordered  she  should  be  interred  in  the  Culbokie  ground  at  Kirkhill, 
near  her  brother  ^Eneas  Scotos.  The  funeral  was  on  1st  February, 
Mr  ^Eneas,  afterwards  Bishop  Chisholm,  officiating,  and  attended 
amongst  others  by  young  Culbokie,  Captain  Simon,  his  brother, 
and  Hugh  Fraser,  afterwards  of  Eskadale  (see  with  reference  to 
this  young  lady,  described  as  exceedingly  handsome,  "  Minor 
Families,  No.  3).  She  was  almost  a  stranger  in  Inverness,  but  a 
few  friends  looked  after  her  carefully,  and  her  youth,  beauty,  and 
forlorn  condition,  excited  the  warm  sympathy  of  the  town's  people, 
and  I  gladly  place  on  record  this  testimony-  — "  The  well-known 
humanity  of  the  better  sort  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  place  was 
well  exemplified  in  their  attention  to  her."  This  description  of  the 
people  of  Inverness  is  contained  in  a  letter  of  date  February, 
1797.  Culbokie  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son. 

x.  WILLIAM  FRASER,  who,  with  consent  of  his  father,  married 
Sarah,  third  daughter  of  Colonel  James  Fraser  of  Belladrum,  con- 
tract dated  Guisachan  and  Belladrum,  25th  and  26th  April,  1797. 
He  had  been  originally  in  the  army,  and,  prior  to  his  marriage, 
engaged  in  business  in  the  West  Indies,  and  was  on  the  way  to  St 
Vincent  when  his  father  died.  Writing  on  the  8th  June,  1798, 
from  St  Vincent,  he  says — "You  may  be  sure  I  have  the  utmost 
anxiety  to  bid  this  quarter  of  the  world  adieu.  I  have  now  eveiy 
inducement  to  incline  me  to  return  home,  yet,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 


The  Frasers  of  Gui sachem.  321 

I  cannot  make  this  out  so  soon  as  I  expected,  without  making  a 
sacrifice  which  my  circumstances  cannot  afford,  and  which  my  best 
friends  might  censure." 

This  Oulbokie  was,  perhaps,  the  best  known  and  had  the 
greatest  influence  of  any  of  the  family.  He  was  a  capital  man  of 
business,  of  active  and  energetic  habit,  and,  I  think,  for  some 
time  Convener  of  the  County.  Well  would  it  have  been  for  him 
and  his  posterity  had  he  remained,  like  his  father,  quiet  and  con- 
tent to  stay  on  the  paternal  estate.  The  rental  of  Guisachan  in 
the  year  1800  may  be  given,  and  contrasted  with  the  Valuation 
Roll  of  1892-1893.  By  the  latter,  the  total  rent  is  £1596  8s, 
whereof  tenants,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the  term — nil. 

RENTAL  IN  1800. 

Mid  Guisachan— Sheep  Farm          £70  0  0 

Cougy — A  Black  Cattle  Farm         175  0  0 

Mains  of  Guisachan  —Do 25  0  0 

Ballacladdich— Do 64  0  0 

Achblair— Do 38  0  0 

Wester  Achnaheglash— Do 29  0  0 

Easter  Achnaheglash — Do.  ...          ...          ...  15  0  0 

Tomich— Do. 18  0  0 

Glassach— Do.  10  0  0 


£444     0     0 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  tenants  about  the  year  1810  : — 

Balcladdich  and    Grazings  of  Cougie — Peter  Grant,   John    Mac- 
dona]  d,  Alexander  Fraser,  John  Macrae,  Angus  Scott. 

Achblair — Archibald  Fraser,  Donald  Chisholm,  Roderick  Chisholm, 
Widow  Macdonald. 

Tomich — Alexander  Cameron. 

Easter  Achnaheglash — John  and  Donald  Macdonald. 

Wester  Achnaheglash — John  Fraser,  Widow  Anne  Macdonald,  James 
Fraser,  John  Fraser. 

Knockan-na-Creiv  or  Hilton — Alexander  Macrae. 

Wester  Guisachan — William  Macrae,  Alexander  Macrae. 

Being  nineteen  heads  of  families,  with  numerous  cottars,  about 

200  souls  in  all. 

During  his  long  possession,   Culbokie  is  always  complaining 

that  his  tenants  never  pay  rent  regularly,  that  they  are  addicted 

to  smuggling,  and  the  "  Moulin  Dhu  "  always  at  work. 

21 


322  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

In  one  letter,  early  in  this  century,  he  does  not  know  how  to 
act,  finding,  on  an  unexpected  arrival  from  his  ordinary  residence 
of  Achnagairn,  that  all  his  servants  were  niaudlinly  intoxicated. 
They  had  meanly  broken  into  a  still  some  distance  off,  which  they 
had  ascertained  would  be  closed  and  unwatched  at  a  certain  hour, 
and  carried  off  in  "  piggy s "  a  large  quantity  of  spirits.  No 
honour,  he  says,  even  among  smugglers  ;  and  meantime  he  had  to 
content  himself  with  swearing  at  large  and  smashing  the  jars, 
though  his  own  property.  He  would  not  settle  at  Guisachan,  but 
rented  the  house  of  Achnagairn.  In  1806,  he  writes  that  lie 
leaves  Achnagairn  for  Guisachan,  from  July  to  Christmas.  Then 
he  built  and  improved,  without  proper  precaution  for  refundment, 
the  house  of  Balblair,  formerly  called  Donaldston,  meliorating  and 
improving  greatly  its  surroundings.  He  was  also  tenant  of  the 
farm  of  Fanellan.  Culbokie  was  able  to  redeem  a  portion  of  the 
former  estate  called  Kyllachie,  first  mentioned  in  the  year  1496, 
under  rather  curious  circumstances.  The  description  of  Kyllachy 
ran  thus  : — "All  and  whole  the  Town  and  lands  of  Kyi  laugh  or 
Kyllachie,  extending  to  one  quarter  or  one-fourth  part  of  a  davoch 
of  lands  of  old  extent,  with  the  Multures,  sequels,  houses,  buildings, 
and  other  parts  and  pertinents  lying  within  the  Barony  of  Aird, 
Lordship  of  Lovat,  and  Sheriffdom  of  Inverness." 

Upon  15th  March,  1673,  Hugh  Fraserof  Culbokie  gave  a  lease 
of  Kyllachie  for  an  undefined  number  of  years,  in  respect  of  money 
borrowed,  to  his  brother  Alexander.  No  title  was  made  up,  but 
simple  possession  had  by  Alexander  Fraser  and  his  heirs  until 
1742,  when  Hugh  Fraser,  dealing  with  the  subjects  as  heritage, 
disponed  them  in  favour  of  Isobel  Fraser,  his  wife,  in  life-rent,  and 
himself  in  fee,  on  which  infeftment  followed.  Entering  into  a 
second  marriage,  Hugh  Fraser  made  a  similar  grant  to  Grizel 
Fraser,  his  wife,  in  life-rent,  in  1769.  Being  in  difficulties,  Hugh 
Fraser  disponed  onerously  the  subjects  in  1774  to  one  William 
Fraser  of  St  Vincents,  whose  brother  and  heir,  Thomas,  conveyed 
to  Culbokie  in  1797. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  Kingillie  was  adjudged  by  Dunbal- 
loch,  first,  from  Culbokie,  and  afterwards  from  Kinnairies,  the 
Dunballoch  title  standing  in  the  Charter  of  Adjudication  of  1711 
before  noted.  Fortified  by  actual  possession,  their  title  became 
unassailable  as  regards  the  lands  situated  in  Kirkhill  parish. 
About  1790,  Fraser  of  Newton,  who  had  dropped  the  title  of 
Dunballoch,  to  which  place  his  family  had  only  a  redeemable 
right,  took  proceedings  to  oust  Grizel  Fraser,  life-rentrix  of 
Kyllachie,  before  mentioned,  who  had  by  this  time  remarried. 


The  Frasers  of  Guisachan  323 

Defences  were  given  in  for  her,  and  her  husband  and  William 
Fraser  of  St  Vincents,  to  the  effect  that  Newton  or  his  authors 
never  having  been  in  the  natural  possession  of  Kyllachy,  which  was 
detached  from  Kingillie,  and  situated  in  another  parish,  nor 
received  rent  nor  other  duties,  he  lost  his  right  to  reclaim,  and 
although  it  was  admittedly  within  his  charter,  still  there  had  been 
possession  on  another  title.  The  process,  at  Newton's  instance, 
was  dismissed  with  costs.  As  Newton  threatened  to  try  the 
matter  in  another  form,  Culbokie,  who  had  now  become  proprietor, 
found  it  necessary  to  fortify  his  title  by  serving  heir  to  his  grand- 
father's grandfather,  Hugh  the  6th,  the  granter  of  the  lease  of 
1673.  This  was  carried  out  in  1800,  a  Crown  charter  following. 
The  witnesses  of  propinquity  were  William  Fraser,  tenant  in 
Crask  of  Easter  Crochel,  aged  75,  cousin  german  on  the  father's 
side,  and  Alexander  Grant,  tenant  in  Guisachan,  aged  74,  cousin 
german  on  the  mother's  side  to  the  claimant's  father  (William,  9th 
€ulbokie). 

A  hint  was  also  conveyed  to  Newton  that  if  he  moved  further 
in  regard  to  Kyllachy,  his  possession  under  the  charter  of 
.adjudication  of  his  Kirkhill  estates  would  be  challenged.  So,  as 
regards  Newton,  the  matter  dropped.  Culbokie,  however,  some 
years  after,  in  1813,  had  to  defend  himself  from  a  process  of 
eviction  at  the  instance  of  William  Fraser,  commonly  called 
•"  William  Kyllachy,"  son  of  Alexander  Fraser,  arid  nephew  and 
Jieir-at-law  of  Hugh,  the  last  leaseholder,  who  tried  to  carry  on 
a,  process  by  means  of  admittance  to  the  roll  of  u  poor"  litigants, 
but,  to  use  a  common  expression,  this  William  had  not  a  leg  to 
stand  on. 

Kyllachy  has  for  many  years  belonged  to  Lovat,  and  I  have 
been  informed  by  Mr  Peter  that  most  of  the  lands  have  been 
planted,  forming  part  of  Boblanie  Woods,  and  that  the  old  arable 
land  is  tenanted  by  William  Fraser,  Kinnairies,  the  roofless 
remains  of  some  of  the  old  buildings  being  still  visible,  situated 
not  far  from  Loch  Bruiach  on  its  eastern  side.  Though  Kyllachy 
has  disappeared  as  an  independency,  its  story  will  remain. 

The  Honourable  Archibald  Fraser  of  Lovat  harassed  most  of 
the  gentlemen  of  his  clan  in  various  ways,  and  Culbokie  and  his 
successor  considered  themselves  ill-used  about  Balblair.  He  took 
his  chief's  death  calmly,  merely  writing  on  llth  December,  1815, 
from  Balblair — "  I  am  come  to  this  quarter  to  witness  the  last 
duties  to  the  remains  of  my  late  chief ;"  not  a  word  of  comment, 
regret  or  sympathy.  His  views  as  to  the  "  new  family,"  the 
•"  Aberdeen  folks,"  to  use  his  expressions  at  various  times,  may  be 


324  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

best  gathered  from  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  dated 
Guisachan,  9th  February,  1816. — "As  to  the  Aberdeenshire  good 
folks,  they  seem  to  have  entirely  cut  with  me,  and  I  shall  take 
care  that  they  shall  have  no  difficulty  in  so  doing,  though  I  cannot 
comprehend  the  slightest  cause  for  it.  However,  I  conceive 
myself  as  independent  of  them  at  present,  as  they  are  of  me,  and 
it  will  be  my  endeavour  to  keep  so,  nor  will  I  be  over-ready  to- 
make  or  receive  future  advances,  as  I  conceive  they  have  behaved 
very  unpolitely  at  least  towards  me.  They  certainly  will  have 
law  enough  in  hand.  I  understand  the  two  ladies  [Mrs  Fraser  of 
Lovat  and  Mrs  Fraser  of  Strichen — C.F.M.],  are  very  thick  and 
great  apparently.  Mark  the  end  of  it.  Mrs  Fraser,  Strichen, 
thought  proper  as  she  was  leaving  Inverness  on  the  return  east- 
ward to  write  a  polite  letter  to  my  wife,  as  if  to  keep  a  show  of 
terms." 

Culbokie  was  evidently  much  hnjfed,  but  it  was  got  over 
.shortly,  and  before  Mrs  Fraser  of  Lo vat's  death,  he  in  return  for 
attention  shewn,  did,  according  to  the  story  common  among  old 
people  in  the  Aird,  put  a  strong  spoke  into  the  wheel  of  the 
Welsh  Lovat  Claimant  of  that  period,  1815-1819.  Culbokie  was. 
deeply  mixed  up  in  West  Indian  affairs,  and  got  involved  in 
executorships,  cautionary  obligations,  etc.,  insomuch  that  in  1833 
his  creditors  were  gathered.  They  received  a  very  large  dividend  ; 
but  matters  continued  unsettled,  and  harassed  the  old  man  up 
to  his  death.  The  last  paper  of  his  I  have  seen  is  dated  in  October, 
1842,  not  long  before  his  death,  and  he  died  at  Guisachan,  3rd 
July,  1843. 

He  left  two  sons,  William  Fraser,  W.S.,  and  James,  who 
entered  the  East  India  Company's  service.  Culbokie  survived 
his  wife  and  eldest  son,  who  properly,  therefore,  ought  not  to  be 
counted  in  the  list,  but  I  place  him  as 

xi.  WILLIAM  FRASER.  He  married,  in  1826,  Margaret,  elder 
daughter  of  David  George  Sandeman,  of  Perth,  and  died  suddenly 
while  on  a  visit  at  Bught  on  6th  January,  1829,  leaving  a  son 
and  posthumous  daughter,  Anna  Jane,  born  in  March,  1829,  who 
married  Mr  Parker. 

xii.  WILLIAM  FRASER  succeeded  in  minority  to  his  grandfather, 
and  to  an  estate  embarrassed,  but  by  no  means  desperate.  It 
was  well  administered  by  Eneas  Ronald  Macdonell  of  Scotos  and 
Captain  Kyle  of  Binghill  (who  had  married  Helen,  Scotos)  and  did 
something  to  repay  the  kindness  shewn  to  the  Scotos  family  by 
their  uncle,  Culbokie.  That  the  young  gentleman,  who  was  very 
carefully  brought  up,  and  is  well  spoken  of  by  Mrs  Sandeman  in 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  325 

her  interesting  memoirs,  did  not,  on  his  accession,  in  the  strength 
of  youth  and  health,  find  it  incumbent  and  a  high  duty  to  preserve 
the  estate — "  come  weal,  come  woe  " — must  be  a  source  of  regret 
to  all  well-wishers  of  the  ancient  and  honourable  house  of 
Mac-Huistean. 

Lord  Lovat  received,  on  his  majority  the  other  day,  an  address 
signed  by  upwards  of  700  Frasers.  The  clan  nourishes — said  to 
number  25,000  — but  where  are  the  heads  of  the  cadet  families? 
Remnants  are  still  found  in  Knock  Voire,  but  the  great  districts 
of  Kilmorack  and  Kiltarlity  know  them  not  j  and  any  of  their 
-descendants  who  may  visit  the  Aird,  contemplating  the  past,  may 
«echo  what  was  expressed  hundreds  of  years  ago  : — 

"  Come,  Ossian,  come,  this  is  no 
Place  for  us.     Strangers  now  dwell 
In  the  Halls  of  the  Fathers." 


22nd  FEBRUARY,  1893. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members 
of  the  Society,  viz.: — Professor  Strachan,  Marple,  Cheshire  ;  Mr 
Alex.  Fraser,  City  Editor,  Toronto  Mail,  Toronto  ;  Mr  Robert  Dey, 
M.A.,  Berryhill  Public  School,  Wishaw  ;  Mr  Duncan  Macgregor 
€rerar,  93  Nasseu  Street,  New  York  ;  and  Mr  W.  S.  Roddie, 
Music  Teacher,  Inverness.  The  paper  for  the  evening  was  con- 
tributed by  Mr  John  Mackay,  J.P.,  Hereford,  on  "  Sutherland 
Place  Names — Parishes  of  Loth  and  Clyne."  Mr  Mackay's  paper 
was  as  follows  : —  . 

SUTHERLAND  PLACE  NAMES. 

PARISH    OF    LOTH. 

This  parish  is  the  smallest  in  extent  in  the  county,  comprising 
only  18,042  acres,  of  which  430  are  foreshore,  and  4J  water.  It 
lies  along  the  south-east  coast,  and  the  Duke  of  Sutherland's 
railway  traverses  it  throughout  its  whole  length  of  7  miles.  A 
range  of  steep  hills,  whose  loftiest  summits  attain  altitudes  of 
about  1900  feet  above  sea  level,  extends  along  its  inland  boundary 
nearly  parallel  with  the  sea  coast,  and  forms  over  all  its  extent, 
the  water  shed-line.  The  surface  from  this  summit-line  seaward 
is  first,  a  steep  uncultivable  declivity,  and  next,  a  plain  or  nearly 


326  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

level  expanse  of  alluvial  land,  fertile,  well  cultivated,  and 
embellished.  The  ravines  cut  down  by  the  streamlets  along  the 
descending  surface,  are  very  remarkable,  and  exhibit  striking  and 
highly  romantic  touches  of  landscape.  The  largest  of  these,  called,, 
by  way  of  pre-eminence,  the  Glen  of  Loth,  is  flanked  by  the  most 
mountainous  heights  of  the  pai'ish,  and  it  wends  its  way  amongst 
them  with  a  wildness  peculiarly  Highland,  which  caused  it  to  be 
peopled,  by  the  superstition  of  former  times,  with  many  an  imp  and 
worker  of  terror.  The  stream  or  river  running  through  this  wild 
glen  is,  in  its  angry  moods,  characteristic  of  the  glen  itself ;  rising 
at  the  back  of  Beinn-a-Mheillich  it  falls  1570  feet  in  its  course  of 
6  miles  to  the  sea.  Though  almost  dry  in  summer,  it  used 
formerly  to  be  very  formidable  to  the  traveller,  and,  as  seen  from 
the  bridge,  by  which  it  is  now  always  passable,  it  still  exhibits  the 
sudden,  impetuously  rushing,  roaring,  fearful  spates,  which  once 
caused  it  to  be  viewed  with  dread.  ^ 

Not  only  this  stream,  but  some  very  tiny  rills  in  this  parish, 
possesses  the  fame  of  having  in  some  brief  but  tremendous  onsets 
tripped  up  unwary  travellers,  and  careered  away  with  them  to  the 
sea.  Telford,  with  his  roads  and  bridges,  did  away  with  that 
danger  since  1812,  and  the  "imps"  and  "terror  workers"  of  Glen 
Loth  followed.  In  connection  with  this  and  Glen  Loth  river, 
which,  up  to  the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century,  had  no  visible  con- 
nection with  the  sea,  and  formed,  in  times  of  flood,  a  large  lake  in 
Loth  More,  a  wide  belt  of  rock  intervening  between  it  and  the  sea. 
Lady  Jane  Gordon,  Countess  of  Sutherland,  previously  Countess, 
of  Both  well,  seeing  the  evil  and  the  loss  caused  by  the  accumulated, 
floods,  took  it  into  her  hardy  Gordon  head  that  this  belt  of  rock, 
might  be  cut  through  and  give  the  river  and  floods  a  free  course 
to  the  sea,  and  so  prevent  good  land  being  rendered  useless. 
Tradition  does  not  report  who  was  her  engineer  or  what  "  wise  " 
man  she  consulted,  but  by  her  instructions  the  belt  of  rock  was 
cut  through  deep  enough  to  give  free  egress  to  river  and  flood. 
The  cutting  is  seen  to  this  day,  no  doubt  much  deeper  than  it  was 
made  three  centuries  ago,  but  dim  tradition  states  that  her 
engineer  must  have  been  "a  black"  for  interfering  with  the 
designs  and  works  of  a  Higher  Being.  The  quondam  lake  is  now 
the  finest  land  and  most  fertile  in  Sutherland. 

The  rocks  along  the  coast  cf  this  parish  are  oolite,  comprising 
limestone,  conglomerate,  variously  coloured  shales,  and  white  and 
red  sandstones.  In  the  uplands  the  prevailing  rock  is  a  kind  of 
large  grained  porphyry,  unusually  fragile,  easily  worn  away  by- 
running  water. 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  327 

One-seventh  of  the  area  of  the  parish  is  in  cultivation.  The 
large  farm  of  Cracaig  is  considered  the  most  fertile  in  the  county. 

In  this  district  may  still  be  seen  the  ruins  and  remains  of 
ancient  and  medieval  structures,  Pictish  towers,  underground 
dwellings  and  passages,  cairns  and  tumuli,  castles  and  mansions  of 
feudal  chieftains  of  their  day,  and  several  other  objects  of  interest, 
to  which  local  traditions  have  given  celebrity,  which  will  be 
noticed  in  Place  Names.  There  are  traditions  of  various  battles 
being  fought  in  this  district  between  the  natives  and  the  invading 
Norsemen,  near  Garty,  where  there  are  numerous  tumuli.  In  the 
construction  of  the  railway  in  1870,  near  a  headland  called 
Stron-runkie  (sron  rudha-na-gaoithe),  two  skeletons  were  found 
lying  side  by  side,  with  flag  stones  at  head  and  feet,  indicating 
them  to  be  those  of  very  tall  and  strong  men,  the  skulls  long  and 
finely  shaped,  showing  no  sword  cuts,  bones  long  and  massive, 
ribs  wide  and  thick,  teeth  perfect  and  beautifully  set.  From 
inquiries  made,  it  was  found  that  a  tradition  existed  of  a  conflict 
having  taken  place  thereabouts,  in  which  the  natives  had  defeated 
the  Norsemen  and  slain  two  of  their  leaders,  who  were  buried  near 
the  shore,  and  if  their  remains  were  ever  disturbed,  a  tempest 
would  arise  that  would  destroy  the  locality.  The  remains  were 
disturbed,  the  tempest  did  not  arise,  but  the  injunction  and  the 
penalty  sufficed  to  deter  desecration,  and  tell  its  own  tale. 

A  battle  between  the  Sutherlands  and  the  Sinclairs  took  place 
near  Helmsdale  ;  another  battle  between  the  Sutherlands  and 
Mackays  at  Druimdearg,  in  the  glen  of  Loth.  While  the  Earl  of 
Sutherland,  assisted  by  his  allies,  invaded  Strathnaver,  the 
Mackays,  by  a  flank  march,  invaded  the  south  coast,  defeated  the 
men  of  Sutherland,  who  opposed  them,  at  Druimdearg,  ravaged 
the  country,  burnt  the  church  at  Loth,  and  St  Ninian's  chapel  in 
Navidale,  and  returned  into  their  own  country  with  a  large  spoil, 
having  eluded  the  Karl  and  his  forces,  who  returned  from  Strath- 
naver in  pursuit  of  them. 

At  the  west  end  of  the  parish,  near  Kintradwell,  a  conflict 
took  place,  in  which  Alexander,  the  rightful  heir  of  the  old 
Sutherland  line,  was  captured  by  the  Gordons  of  Aboyne,  who 
immediately  beheaded  him,  and  fixed  his  head  on  the  highest 
turret  of  Dunrobin,  in  fulfilment  of  the  spae-wije's  telling  him 
that  "  his  head  would  be  the  highest  of  his  race."  A  descendant 
of  this  unfortunate  nobleman  lived  in  Edinburgh  at  the  beginning 
of  this  century,  to  whom  the  Countess  of  Sutherland  made  an 
annual  allowance  while  he  lived.  He  was  the  rightful  heir,  in 
male  succession,  to  the  estates  and  earldom. 


328  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

In  olden  times  this  district  must  have  been  very  populous,  for 
it  was  well  supplied  with  places  of  worship.  The  parish  church 
was  for  ages,  as  it  is  now,  at  Lothmore ;  though  burnt  in  1556  by 
the  ruthless  Mackays,  it  was  soon  rebuilt.  It  was  dedicated  to 
St  Garden.  A  chapel  and  hospital,  dedicated  to  St  John  the 
Baptist,  at  Helinsdale.  Another,  dedicated  to  St  Ninian.  at 
Navidale,  bunit  by  the  Mackays  in  1556.  Sir  R.  Gordon  says  it 
was  a  place  "wher  in  old  tymes  ther  wes  a  sanctuarie."  The 
cemetery  still  exists.  Another  chapel  at  East  Garty,  built  by  a 
Countess  of  Sutherland  "  for  her  own  devotion,  and  besyd  it  lived 
for  some  tyme."  No  trace  of  it  remains.  Another  at  Kintradwell 
(Cill-Trollie),  dedicated  to  St  Trollie,  Trollhena  of  the  Ork.  Saga, 
Trollen,  Triduan,  Tridwen,  of  the  Scottish  hagiologists. 

LOTH. 

The  district  name  presents  an  interesting  subject  of  speculation, 
conjecture,  study,  and  research.  We  have  very  few  variants  of  it 
in  ancient  writs  or  charters.  All  we  have  in  the  Sutherland 
charters  and  writs  is,  Lothe,  cir.  1560;  Loth,  cir.  1567-74;  Loth- 
kirk,  1640.  In  Gaelic,  it  is  Loth,  or  Logh,  and  its  inhabitants  are 
termed  Logh-aich,  as  the  Helmsdale  people,  Ill-aich,  from  dwelling 
on  both  banks  of  the  River  Il-igh. 

Previous  to  and  after  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era, 
Tyrian,  and  no  doubt  other  navigators  and  explorers,  had  visited 
the  coast  of  Scotland,  and  left  the  result  of  their  explorations  in 
maps  and  MSS.,  which  found  their  way  inco  the  libraries  of 
Alexandria,  then  the  commercial  and  literary  emporium  of  the 
world.  From  such  MSS.  the  great  geographical  writer,  Strabo, 
and  after  him  the  more  learned  Ptolemy,  compiled  their  maps  and 
geographies.  In  Ptolemy's  map  of  Caledonia,  Sutherland  is 
partitioned  among  four  principle  tribes,  the  "  Catini "  on  the 
north,  the  "Carnonacse"  on  the  north-west  and  west,  the  "Mertso" 
in  the  interior,  and  the  "  Logi "  on  the  south  and  south-east. 

The  bounds  of  the  "  Logi "  were  from  the  "  Abona "  (the 
Dornoch  Firth),  which  name  we  have  still  in  Bonar,  to  the  Ila 
(the  Il-igh  or  Uillie  of  modern  map).  The  first  syllable  of  the 
term  Logi  is  the  present  name  of  the  district,  pronounced  in  Gaelic 
as  lo,  or  logh,  and  the  inhabitants  are  still  called  Logli-aich. 
What  does  the  word  lo,  logh,  or  loth  mean  ?  In  Gaelic  it  means 
colt  or  foal.  In  British  or  Welsh,  llo  means  calf.  Were  the  Logi 
tribe  horse-breeders,  and  hereby  acquired  the  cognomen  "  Logi  " 
or  "  Loghaich " ;  and  were  their  more  inland  neighbours,  the 
"  MertsG,"  "  Martaich,"  cattle  breeders,  and  from  such  a  cause 
acquire  their  cognomen  "  Mertse  "  or  "  Martaich  "  ? 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  329 

These  appellations,  given  them  by  Tyrian  explorers,  were 
undoubtedly  obtained  from  the  natives  by  means  of  interpreters, 
^and  were  noted  in  the  best  way  that  could  be  done  to  give  effect 
to  the  sense  and  the  pronunciation  of  the  names  by  which  they 
were  known  among  themselves.  The  process  would  be  the  same 
at  that  time  as  it  was  centuries  thereafter,  when  Columbus,  and 
Captain  Cook,  and  other  navigators  discovered  new  lands  on  the 
American  continent  and  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  held  converse  with 
the  tribes  that  inhabited  them. 

The  antiquity  of  the  term  Loth  is  undoubted,  whatever  its  real 
signification  or  definition  may  be.  Its  proximity  to  the  "  Il-a  " 
and  "  Abona "  of  Ptolemy  lends  force  to  the  supposition  that  it 
was  applied  to  the  tribal  nomenclature  long  anterior  to  the  visits 
of  the  ancient  Tyrian  navigators. 

A  very  probable  conjecture  would  be  that  the  most  striking 
natural  feature  in  the  district  might  give  it  its  name.  The  most 
remarkable  feature  in  this  district  is  the  River  Loth  in  flood,  as 
previously  described,  Having  its  rise  in  a  large  and  mountainous 
watershed,  and  falling  1500  feet  in  less  than  6  miles,  it  is 
excessively  rapid  in  its  flow,  and,  in  flood,  the  velocity  of  its  water 
is  simply  amazing.  From  this  physical  fact,  it  may  be  inferred 
that  the  keen-sighted  Gael  would  call  it,  and  name  it  "  Luath 
amhuinn"  the  swiftly  flowing  river,  as  some  of  the  Gauls  of 
France  named  some  of  theirs.  The  difference  in  phonetics  is  very 
-slight,  the  long  dipthong  "  ua  "  in  "Luath  "  is  readily  transmuted 
into  the  shorter  sound  of  "o"  when  sharply  pronounced.  Hence 
the  river  gave  its  name  to  the  glen  through  which  it  flowed,  and 
extended  it  to  the  district  of  which  they  are  the  centre.  An 
instance  of  this  is  found  in  many  places,  especially  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county,  in  the  river  Naver  imposing  its  name  on  the 
valley  through  which  its  course  lies,  and  to  the  whole  district 
around  it.  River  names  in  France  have  in  modern  times  been 
adopted  as  the  appellation  of  departments.  For  these  reasons,  and 
upon  these  grounds,  we  incline  to  the  idea  that  it  was  the  aspect 
of  this  river  in  flood  which  induced  the  natives  of  the  district, 
twenty  centuries  ago  and  more,  to  name  the  river  "  Luath 
amhuinn,"  and  that  this  very  distinctive  and  descriptive  appellation 
was  thereafter  applied  to  the  glen  and  to  the  district  right  and 
left  of  it. 

A  conjecture  has  been  hazarded  that  the  district  received  its 
name  from  a  lake  that  existed  between  Lothmor  and  Lothbeg 
previous  to  the  time  when  Lady  Jane  Gordon,  Countess  of  Suther- 
land in  1575,  had  the  hardihood  to  cause  a  belt  of  rock  between  it 


330  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

and  the  sea  to  be  cut  through,  which  completely  drained  the  lake. 
But  the  district  before  her  day  was  called  Loth,  not  Loch. 

But  yet  another  derivation  for  the  term  "  Loth"  has  been  given 
in  the  word  "  lathach,"  clayey,  miry,  in  reference  to  the  alluvial 
soil  of  the  district.  It  cannot  be  supposed -that  the  natives  of  the 
district  twenty  or  twenty-five  centuries  ago  cultivated  so  much 
land  as  to  enable  them  to  judge  of  what  the  subsoil  consisted. 

MOUNTAINS. 

Beinn-na-Meillich — G.,  hill  of  the  bleating,  1940  feet  high 
probably  so  called  from  the  custom  of  the  inhabitants  sending  the 
ewes  to  that  outlying  district  on  being  separated  from  their  lambs 
in  summer. 

Beinn-chol — G.,  Kol's  hill,  where  he  was  wont  to  hunt.  Kol 
was  the  name  of  a  Norse  magnate  orthe  llth  century,  a  relative 
of  Frakark,  the  Norse  Ama/on  of  Kildonan,  whose  castle  there  was 
burnt  by  Swein.  On  the  banks  of  the  Black  water,  in  the  parish 
of  Clyne,  are  the  ruins  of  a  stronghold  called  "  Castle  Cole,"  or 
Kol's  Castle,  built  of  immensely  large  stones. 

Beiim-na-h-urrrachd,  more  probably  Beinn-na-h-onrachd — G., 
mountain  or  hill  of  solitude,  2046  feet. 

Beinn  dobhrain — G.,  more  probably,  beinn  doireann,  hill  of 
storminess,  2068  feet. 

Carn-uain — G.,  green  cairn,  an  ancient  hunting-place  of  the 
Sutherland  earls  in  Glen  Loth  Deer  Forest,  now  a  sheep-walk. 

Carn  Bran — G.,  a  very  large  cairn,  said  to  mark  the  place 
where  Fingal's  famous  hound,  Bran,  died  and  was  interred. 

Cosh-ceavaig — G.,  probably  cos-camhaig,  an  artificial  cave,  well 
built  and  roofed  with  stone,  leading  to  subterranean  apartments, 
which  served  for  places  of  refuge  or  sepulture.  It  is  situated  in 
the  west  side  of  the  high  banks  of  Kintradwell  burn  ;  c6s-camhaig 
is  a  very  apt  description  of  it,  the  cave  of  small  caves. 

Clach-mac-meas — G.,  a  huge  stone  which  a  precocious  youth  in 
that  interesting  period  of  the  world's  history,  when  "giants  of 
mighty  bone  and  bold  emprise  "  dwelt  in  the  land,  hurled  after 
a  foe  to  the  bottom  of  Glen  Loth  from  an  adjoining  mountain. 

Carriken-cligh — G.  carraghan  clith,  pillars  or  monuments  of 
strength.  These  are  four  stone  pillars,  on  an  elevated  mound  or 
barrow,  that  point  out  the  resting-place  of  some  leading  men  of  a 
very  remote  period. 

Craig  a  Bhodaich—  G.,  rock  of  the  hobgoblin. 

Craig  a  Bhokie — G.,  crag-a-bh6can,  rock  of  the  spectre. 


Sutherland  Place  Names. 


331 


These  two  hills,  one  on  each  side  of  Slet-dale  burn,  a  tributary 
of  the  Loth,  form  the  very  close  and  singular  sides  of  the  burn. 
These  lofty  hills  are  remarkable  not  only  for  their  to  Bering  per- 
pendicular heights,  but  for  the  narrow  space  that  separates  them. 

Creag-a-chrionaich— G.,  rock  of  the  decayed  wood  ;   1294  feet. 

Creag-na-h-iolaire — G.,  rock  of  the  eagle  ;  970  feet. 

Creag-a-mheasgain — G.,  creag-a-mhaosgain,  rock  of  the  un- 
shapely lumps  ;  1346  feet. 

Creag  loisgte — G.,  burnt  rock,  in  reference  to  its  sterility  and 
colour  of  its  surface  ;  1250  feet. 

Creag  mhor — G.,  big  rock  ;  1581  ft. 

Druim  dearg — G.,  red  ridges,  heights  on  the  right  side  of  Glen 
Loth  rising  in  successive  terraces  to  570  feet.  At  the  foot  of 
these  heights  in  1556  the  Mackays  overthrew  the  Sutherlands  in 
bloody  conflict,  burnt  the  kirk  of  Loth,  harried  the  surrounding 
district,  and  compelled  the  Earl  of  Sutherland  and  allies  to  return 
from  Strathnaver  to  defend  his  own  territory. 

Meallan  liath  mor — G.,  the  big,  grey,  little  lump. 

Meallan  liath  beg — G.,  the  small,  grey,  little  lump ;  Meall-an, 
dim.  of  Meall. 

There  are  no  lakes  in  the  parish,  no  islands  attached  to  it. 
The  rivers  and  streams  and  promontories  will  be  noticed  under 
place-names. 

PLACE-NAMES. 

Ballinreach — G.,  baile-na-ruighachan,  the  hamlet  on  the  hill 
slopes ;  W.,  rhiw,  pro.  rioo,  slope  or  declivity  at  hill  bases. 

Braeval — G.,  braigh-a-bhaile,  the  upper  part  or  upper  grounds 
of  a  hamlet  or  township  ;  W.,  brai,  the  topmost ;  Norse,  bra,  brow  ; 
Eng.,  brow  ;  B.  S.,  brae,  from  the  Gaelic  or  Norse.  It  is  worthy 
of  note  to  see  how  the  signification  changes  by  transposing  the 
syllables  of  this  word  in  Gaelic,  putting  the  second  syllable  first, 
as  Bal-a-bhraighe,  and  Bal-a-l>haghad  (Balvraid).  This  gives  us 
the  hamlet  on  the  brae. 

Crackaig — G.,  craic  ;  Heb.  G.,  croic,  sea-weed  cast  away,  or 
cast  ashore,  and  ach,  a  terminal  adjunctive  used  in  Greek,  Latin, 
and  other  languages,  in  conjunction  with  nouns,  as  Gaol-ach, 
Mulad-acb,  denoting,  having,  or  abounding  in.  In  Greek  we  have 
similar  adjuncts,  in  -achos,  -ochos,  -akos,  and  in  Latin,  -acus,  -icus,. 
Hence  we  take  Crackaig  to  be  Craic-ach,  having,  or  abounding  in, 
sea-weed,  softened  in  the  course  of  ages  to  "  craic-aig."  Crackaig 
is  near  the  sea-shore,  and  in  front  of  it  is  a  promontory  on  the  east 
side  of  which  is  a  bay,  which  is  sheltered  by  it,  a  fit  place  for  sea- 
weed to  be  thrown  on  its  shores.  If  the  last  syllable  be  uig> 


332  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Norse  for  bay,  \ve  still  have  the  sea- weed  bay  The  old  form  of 
this  word  in  Sutherland  charters  was  cir.  1500,  Crakog;  1600, 
Crakag. 

Culgower — G.,  cuil  na-gabhair,  the  nook,  or  corner  of  the 
goats. 

Garty — G.,  gart,  gort,  an  enclosure  ;  W.,  garth,  an  enclosure  ; 
N.,  gardr,  a  walled  dwelling,  a  court-house  ;  Ger.  garten,  a  garden  ; 
Fr.,  jardin,  a  garden.  There  are  three  townships  in  this  parish 
bearing  this  name,  Gartymore,  Mid  Garty,  and  West  Garty. 

Kilmote — The  native  name  of  this  place  is  Bal-na-h-ath,  the 
township  of  the  kiln.  The  modern  name  is  the  anglicised  form  of 
the  ancient  one. 

Kintradwell — The  old  form  of  this  name  was  Clynetredwan,  or 
more  probably  Cill-trollen,  as  it  was  derive-i  from  a  chapel  erected 
here  in  remote  times,  and  dedicated  to  a  nun  said  to  have  come 
from  Achaia  with  St  Kegulus,  and  ^canonised  as  St  Trollen,  or 
Trollhena  of  the  Sagas,  St  Tredwen,  Triduan,  and  Tredwell  of 
other  writs,  and  Scottish  hagiologists. 

Loth,  Lothmor,  Lothbeg,  described  before. 

Portgower — So  called  from  the  place-name  near  it,  Culgower  or 
from  a  fishing  village  being  created  here  on  the  evictions  of  the  small 
tenants,  in  forming  the  large  arable  and  sheep  farms  in  the  parish, 
1810  to  1812,  and  called  Portgower,  after  the  title  of  Earl 
Gower,  the  heir  to  the  estates,  and  afterwards  2nd  Duke  of 
Sutherland. 

Slet-dale — N.,  slet,  slight,  small,  trivial,  in  comparison  with 
the  great  glen  of  Loth,  and  dalr,  dale,  the  small  dale  or  glen. 

Stronerunkie — This  word,  in  the  form  we  find  it,  is  an  instance 
of  how  place-names  are  frequently  "  murdered"  when  anglicised. 
It  is  Sron  rudha-na-gaoithe,  nose  of  the  windy  promontory,  a 
headland  on  the  shore  near  Cracaig. 

PARISH    OF    CLYNE. 

This  parish  extends  from  the  sea-shore  at  Brora  north-west- 
wards for  21 J  miles  to  the  heights  of  the  water-shed  at  Beinn 
Arrnuinn,  which  divides  it  from  the  parish  of  Farr.  Its  breadth 
varies  from  3J  to  8J  miles,  and  its  computed  area  is  75,912  acres, 
of  which  only  about  1500  is  cultivated,  283  are  foreshore,  and 
1110  water,  of  which  the  pretty  Loch  Brora,  famous  for  its  salmon, 
is  the  largest.  The  north-western  part  of  the  parish  is  wild, 
bleak,  and  lofty,  the  confines  of  which  form  the  central  mountain 
range  of  the  county.  The  central  portion  of  it  debouching  upon 
the  beautiful,  glistening  surface  of  Loch  Brora  is  picturesque, 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  333; 

diversified  by  the  intermingling  of  mountain  and  glen,  wood  and 
water,  green  slopes  and  meads.  The  south-eastern  portion 
subsides  into  low  lands,  yet  attractive,  and  diversified  by  the  green 
glades  and  woody  hill  screens  of  the  loch,  the  interesting 
surroundings  of  Brora  village,  the  well  cultivated  arable  land,  and 
the  low  sandy  beach,  with  a  belt  of  sand  hills,  verdant  and  bent 
covered.  The  Duke  of  Sutherland  Railway  traverses  the  whole 
breadth  of  the  parish,  with  a  station  on  the  north  side  of  the  Brora 
River  and  village. 

The  geological  formation  of  this  south-eastern  part  of  the 
parish  has  a  peculiar  interest  to  the  student  of  geology,  from  the 
occurrence  in  its  rocks  of  a  coal  formation  belonging  to  the  Lias 
and  Oolite  periods,  and  for  the  juxta-position  of  that  formation 
with  granite.  The  coal  was  worked  here  as  long  ago  as  1573  in 
connection  with  salt-pans  on  the  shore.  Although  vigorously 
worked  for  many  years,  both  these  industries  failed  to  be  remunera- 
tive, and  were  for  a  time  abandoned  till,  in  1812,  the  then 
Marquis  of  Stafford  re-commenced  operations,  and  spent  £16,000 
in  opening  a  new  pit,  constructing  a  harbour,  and  a  tramway 
from  it  to  the  coal  pit,  and  four  large  salt-pans,  buil  afc  a  n 
additional  cost  of  £3500,  to  give  employment  to  the  evicted  from 
the  heights  of  the  parish.  Yet,  though  these  works  were  continued 
for  a  number  of  years,  they  were  discontinued  again,  the  salt-pans 
are  now  objects  of  antiquity,  but  the  colliery  was  again  put  into 
operation  in  1872  by  the  late  Duke,  and  5000  tons  a  year  brought 
to  the  surface.  The  coal  is  not  of  good  quality,  being,  it  is  said, 
very  sulphurous. 

There  are  two  quarries  of  excellent  white  freestone  near  Brora, 
worked  for  many  years  for  domestic  purposes  and  for  exportation. 
Some  of  it  had  been  taken  for  the  building  of  London  Bridge. 
This  stone  is  full  of  petref actions  of  trees,  fishes,  and  various  forms 
of  shells,  interesting  to  the  geologist. 

The  arable  land  now  cultivated  in  the  parish  is  thus  divided: — 
Clynelish  farm,  230  acres ;  Inverbrora,  210  ;  East  Brora,  75  ; 
Clyne  Milton,  33  ;  Glebe,  40  ;  Kilcalmkill,  60  ;  while  the  rest  is 
divided  umong  nearly  400  crofters  and  cottars,  an  average  of 
2  acres  each.  The  rest  is  entirely  under  sheep. 

The  population  in  1801  was  1624,  in  1881,  1812,  concentrated 
now  around  Brora.  In  ancient  times  there  must  nave  been  a  con- 
siderable population  in  Strath  Brora,  judging  from  the  number  of 
"  Kills  "  met  with,  the  primitive  abodes  and  worship  places  of  the 
Culdee  Monks.  These  will  be  noted  in  Place  Names.  They  date 
back  to  a  remote  period.  The  parish  church  was  dedicated  to  St 


334  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Aloyne,  and  a  fair  had  been  held  in  1630  at  Clyne  on  St  Aloyne's 
day,  but  there  is  no  further  record  of  him. 

There  are  several  Pictish  towns  in  this  district,  and  various 
tumuli  and  cairns  lie  scattered  over  the  interior,  no  doubt  mark- 
ing battlefields  and  scenes  of  conflict,  in  which  the  slain  were 
buried,  but  their  names  and  their  deeds  have  passed  into  oblivion. 
Pennant  had  been  informed  that  a  tradition  existed  in  the  parish 
of  a  battle  fought  at  Kilcalmkill  between  the  natives  and  the 
Norsemen,  in  which  the  latter  were  severely  defeated,  possibly 
accounting  for  so  few  of  these  roving  plunderers  having  located 
themselves  in  it,  and  imposing  their  language  on  its  nomen- 
clature. 

MOUNTAIN'S. 

Asca-na-greine — G.,  ascnadh-na-greine,  the  rising  of  the  sun  ; 
965  feet  high  ;  a  hill  on  the  eastern,  confines  of  the  parish,  two 
miles  from  the  coast,  upon  which  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun  first 
shine. 

Beinn-armin — G.,  oir-ua-minu,  mountain  of  the  limit  of  the 
kids,  2338  feet  high,  no  higher  could  they  go. 

Beinn-nan-Corn — G.,  1706  feet ;  mountain  of  the  deer,  or 
other  horned  animals  ;  or  of  corn,  a  bowl  like  cup,  from  the  shape 
of  the  lake  below  it.  (See  Golspie  Place  Names). 

Beinn  smeorail — G.,  1592  feet;  mountain  of  the  bramble 
berries. 

Cnoc-a  chrabaich  mhoir— G.,  1560  feet :  hill  of  the  big  bend. 

Cnoc-coir  an  oir — G.,  hill  of  the  hollow  of  gold,  864  feet. 

Cnoc-garbh-leathad — G.,  923  feet ;  hill  of  the  rough  side. 

Cnoc-a-ghrianan — G.,  689  feet ;  hill  of  the  sunny  place. 

Cnoc-meadhonach — G.,  1134  feet;  middle  hill. 

Cnoc-na-leamhnachd — 961  feet ;  hill  of  the  sept- foil. 

Cnoc  raon-na-gainne — 676  feet ;  hill  of  the  sterile  field. 

Ceann-an-tuir — G.,  summit  or  end  of  the  tower  (Castle  Cole). 

Meall-coir-an-uisgeachaidh — G.,  the  lumpy  hill  of  the  watery 
or  swampy  corrie. 

RIVERS. 

Allt-uch'-na-bathaich — G.,  stream  of  the  cowhouse  field. 

Allt-a-mhuillinn — G.,  the  mill  stream. 

Allt'Smeorail — G.,  stream  of  the  bramble  berries  (smeurail). 

Allt-na-seilge — G.,  stream  of  the  chase. 

Blackwater — Eng.  form  of  "  Amhuinn  du,"  black,  peaty  water. 

Brora — See  place  names. 

Ghoileach — G.,  the  turgid  stream,  or  torrent. 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  335 

LAKES. 

Beann-ach — G.,  suriounded  by  mountains  ;  4J  by  3  furlongs. 

Bad-an-aon-tigh— G.,  of  the  one  house  place,  6  by  2  furlongs. 

Bad-an-earba — G.,  of  the  grove  of  the  roes  ;  3 J  by  2  furlongs. 

An  Eilthiraich — G.,  of  the  foreigner  ;  3  by  2  furlongs. 

Brora — See  place  names  ;  4-f  miles  by  3 J  furlongs. 

Na  Glaic — G.,  of  the  hollow. 

Gruideach — G.,  strewn  with  boulders  ;   3J  by  2  furlongs. 

Gorm  Loch  Mhor — The  big  blue  lake  ;  4  by  3^  furlongs. 

Gorm  Loch  Bheag — The  little  blue  lake;  3  by  1 J  furlongs. 

Tobarnach — G.,  full  of  springs. 

There  are  in  this  parish  other  22  smaller  tarns. 

PLACE    XA.MES. 

Achrimasdal — G.  and  N.,  achadh,  field,  and  raumsdalr,  the 
dal  or  dale  of  giants ;  a  district  name  in  Norway. 

Achnanirinin — G.,  field  of  the  maids;  irinean  and  irin  are 
Sutherland  words,  for  daughters,  or  daughter,  or  maid.  In  Welsh 
we  have  wyr,  pro.  uir,  a  grandchild.  The  first  syllable,  ir,  of  the 
Sutherland  word  is  very  similar  to  the  British  or  Welsh  one.  In 
this  connection  it  may  be  here  noted  that  there  are  in  Sutherland 
many  words  in  common  use  and  in  its  topography  which  are 
obsolete  elsewhere  in  the  Highlands.  Is  this  word,  irin  and  irinin, 
a  remnant  of  the  Pictish,  or  a  corrupt  pronunciation  of  inghean, 
inghin,  and  nighean,  nighin,  daughter,  daughters  1 

Am-aite — G.,  am-aite,  pro.  iam-aite.  Am,  as  a  noun,  in  Gaelic 
signifies  time,  season,  but  its  old  signification  was  circle.  In 
Welsh,  am,  as  a  prefix,  means  round  or  round  about,  corresponding 
to  the  Lat.  circum,  and  the  Latins  and  Romans  used  "am"  in  the 
same  sense.  Hence  in  Latin  am-nis,  a  river,  which,  by  its  sinu- 
osities, goes  round  about  from  one  side  of  a  valley  to  the  other, 
We  have  the  syllable  am  in  Am-an,  Am-on,  river  names,  from  am, 
round  about,  and  an,  on,  contraction  for  avan,  avon,  river,  and  in 
Gaelic  we  have  the  same  in  am-huinn,  river. 

In  the  Siamese,  am  is  water.  In  the  Basque  or  Iberian,  ame 
is  sea,  connected  apparently  with  an  original  meaning  of  am,  which 
meant  in  Gaelic,  moisture,  dampness  ;  what  Sutherland  youth  but 
remembers  the  ;n junction  to  keep  out  of  the  dam  (?)  (damn),  mire, 
puddle  1  The  place  Am-aite  is  a  semi-cir uular  meadow  on  the  side 
of  the  Black  water  in  Strath-beg,  the  hills  forming  the  half  circle, 
the  river  the  chord  of  the  arc.  Its  aspect  formed  its  name,  the 
round  place  by  the  water.  There  are  several  places  in  the  High- 
ands  of  the  same  name,  all  of  them  possessing  the  same  aspect, 
and  situated  on  a  river  or  stream. 


336  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

An  Daman — G.,  the  small  dam,  allied  to  the  last,  holding  water 
hack.  To  this  word  hangs  a  tale.  In  the  16th  century,  the 
Sinclairs  made  a  sudden  raid  into  Clyne  upon  some  Chieftains  who- 
made  themselves  obnoxious  to  them.  The  Earl  of  Caithness 
having  at  the  time  possession  oi  Dunrobin,  as  guardian  of  the 
young  Earl  of  Sutherland,  the  Sinclairs  had  less  to  fear  from  the 
Sutherlands,  who,  taken  unawares,  retreated  up  the  valley,  and 
took  refuge  on  a  small  island  in  Loch  Brora,  taking  their  boat  or 
boats  with  them  to  the  island.  The  Caithness  men  pursued,  and 
coming  in  view  of  the  island  perceived  the  Sutherlands  beyond 
their  reach.  Enraged  at  this,  they  immediately  set  to  to 
form  a  dam  at  the  mouth  of  the  lake,  and  to  raise  the  water 
to  drown  the  Sutherlands,  which  they  well-nigh  accomplished, 
when  down  upon  them  came  the  resolute  Clan  Gunn  from  Kildonan, 
who  routed  and  chased  them  away,  saving  the  Sutherlands.  Ever 
after,  this  place  at  the  end  of  Loch^  Brora  has  been  called  "  Am 
Daman,"  the  dam. 

Ascoil — G.,  eas-a-choile,  the  waterfall  in  the  wood.  In  old 
Sutherland  charters,  Weskelle,  Weskill-moir,  Weskelzie. 

Badanellan — G.,  bad,  grove,  thicket,  a  place  ;  and  eilean, 
island,  the  place  at,  or  on,  the  island  ;  Arm.,  bad,  bat. 

Breacachadh — G.,  speckled,  or  spotted  fieid ;  W.,  brec  and 
brych  ;  Arm.,  brec ;  Manx,  breck. 

Brora — G.,  lake  and  village  name ;  native  pro.,  Bru-ra  or 
Broo-ra;  bru-an-t-sra(  the  belly  or  protuberance  of,  or  on,  the 
strath  ;  old  form,  in  1550,  Broray.  The  lake  no  doubt  gave  its 
name  to  the  river  and  the  strath,  the  river  to  the  village  which  is 
situated  upon  it,  and  the  lake  itself  was  named  from  the  eminence 
near  its  end.  The  configuration  of  it,  obviously  enough,  is  belly- 
shaped.  It  gradually  rises  from  the  end  of  the  lake,  which  is  91 
feet  above  sea  level,  in  a  direct  line  towards  the  sea  to  Badanellan, 
200  feet  high,  then  as  gradually  falls  to  the  sea,  and  a  section  at 
right  angles  across  it  shews  a  declivity  towards  the  river  on  the 
one  hand,  and  a  declivity  the  other  way  on  the  other  hand,  thus 
presenting  a  form  in  the  shape  of  a  bru  or  belly.  Strath  Brora, 
begins  at  the  lake  end  and  goes  upwards ;  the  valley  of  the  river 
issuing  from  the  lake  is  called  Strathsteven. 

A  Norse  derivation  has  been  given  to  Brora,  from  Bru-ar,  gen.  of 
bru,  bridge,  and  aa,  water  ;  this  must  be  a  mistake,  for  no  bridge 
existed  here  in  the  days  of  the  Norsemen.  The  first  old  bridge 
over  the  Brora  is  said  to  have  been  built  by  the  Countess  of 
Sutherland  in  or  about  1575,  when  she  caused  coal  to  be  dug  from 
the  "cole-heughs"  "besyd  Broray,"  and  also  built  "salt-pans."  Sir 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  337 

JL  Gordon  states  that  "  ther  \ves  good  salt  maid  at  Broray,  which 
served  not  onlie  Sutherland  and  the  neighbouring  provinces,  bot 
also  wes  transported  into  England  and  elsewher."  In  1601  Brora 
"  was  erected  into  a  free  burgh  of  barony  and  regality,  with  power 
to  the  burgesses  of  buying  and  selling  wine  and  wax,  cloth,  woollen 
and  linen,  and  all  other  articles  of  merchandise  and  staple  goods ; 
power  to  build  a  tolbooth  and  have  a  weekly  market  on  Saturday, 
with  four  yearly  fairs,  with  all  other  privileges,  on  account  of  the 
great  expense  incurred  at  Brora  by  the  Earl  of  Sutherland,  to  the 
great  advantage  of  the  King's  lieges  and  others."  In  1614  the 
"  cole  heughs  "  were  repaired  and  more  salt  pans  erected.  In  1619 
the  bridge  of  "  Broray  "  was  "repaired  and  rectified."  G.,  bru; 
W.,  bru  ;  Corn.,  bry  ;  Arm.,  brun ;  Manx,  breein. 

Carrol — G.,  cathair-mheille,  the  honey  hill.  Carmel,  Carmylie, 
or  Carra-a-choille,  the  rock  of,  or  in,  the  wood.  Carra  is,  O.G.,  a 
rock,  seen  in  many  mountain  names,  and  those  of  rocky  places,  such 
as  Car-pathians,  in  Austria ;  I-car-ia,  the  isle  of  rocks  in  the  Egean 
Sea ;  I-car-os,  in  Greece  ;  Car-mel,  in  Syria.  Old  form  of  Carrol  in 
Sutherland  charters  was  Curreil.  The  rock  gave  the  name  to  the 
habitation  at  its  foot,  a  seat  of  the  Gordons  for  three  centuries. 
South  side  of  Loch  Brora. 

Clyne — G.,  the  parish  name,  from  claoin,  hill-sides,  or 
declivities.  This  parish,  in  all  its  aspects,  is  all  declivities 
throughout  its  whole  extent.  Old  forms,  Clun  in  1230,  Clyn, 
Clyue,  Cline,  1512  to  1572.  There  are  dynes  in  Wales,  the 
aspect  of  their  situation  on  hill  slopes  overspread  with  brushwood, 
applicable  enough  to  our  Clyne. 

Clynelish — G.,  claon,  slope,  or  declivity,  sing,  of  the  other 
claoin,  and  lios,  an  enclosure,  now  garden,  the  slope  to  the  garden  ; 
W.,  llys,  a  court,  or  walled  enclosure ;  Corn.,  llys,  a  manor-house 
surrounded  by  a  wall ;  Arm.,  les,  a  court,  or  enclosure  ;  Ir.,  lios, 
as  in  Lismore  and  many  Irish  place-names ;  compare  G.  lios  iosal, 
low  garden,  with  Ir.  lios  iosal,  and  Arm.  les  izel,  low  court,  or 
lower  court ;  note  the  pro.  of  the  Arm.  les,  not,  lios,  lish.  The 
Sutherland  pro.  of  certain  words  coincides  more  with  similar  words 
in  Corn.,  Welsh,  and  Arm.,  than  with  the  same  words  in  Irish,  in 
Argyle  or  Inverness  Gaelic.  In  Sutherland  the  sing,  is  les,  the 
plural,  lish. 

Craig-Bar — G.,  the  high-topped  rock  ?  664  feet  high,  on  the 
south  side  of  Loch  Brora,  above  Carral.  The  description  given  of 
it  in  the  "  Old  Stat.  Ace.,"  1794,  is  thus— "A  steep  and  rocky 
precipice,  fortified  with  a  ditch  of  circ urn vallati on,  every  way  inacces- 
sible, but  by  a  narrow  neck  of  land  between  it  and  a  neighbouring 

22 


338  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

hill.  It  contains  eight  acres  of  land,  and  could  be  easily  defended 
against  any  number  of  assailants."  The  probability  is  that  this 
rock  fortress  had  been  formed  by  some  chief,  in  prehistoric  times, 
of  the  name  of  Bar,  and  that  hence  its  name,  like  Dun-Rabin. 
Possibly  "  Creag-Bar  "  has  greater  antiquity  than  Dunrobin. 

Crioslaich — G.,  limit  or  border,  old  form,  Crissaligh  ;  here,  in 
1589,  the  Mackay  Chief,  "  Huistean-du-na-tuaigh,"  with  greatly 
inferior  numbers,  attacked  and  defeated  the  marauding  Sinclairs, 
and  recovered  the  spoil  they  "  lifted  "  before  the  Sutherlands  came 
up  to  his  assistance. 

Doll — G.,  old  form  in  charters,  Doill,  corruption  of  dail, 
meadow,  or  plain,  bounded  by  a  river.  This  plain,  upon  which 
scores  of  crofters  are  located,  is  bounded  by  the  Brora  River.  W., 
dal,  what  spreads  out ;  W.,  dol,  a  dale  or  mead,  through  which  a 
river  flows  ;  N.,  dalr,  a  dale  ;  Eng.,  daje. 

Dalbhaiu — G.,  dalbhan,  fair  or  daisy  white  meadow,  or  Dal-a- 
mhan,  the  meadow  lower  down. 

Fothach — G.,  a  pond,  the  place  or  habitation  at  the  pond. 

Glas-loch — G.,  the  grey,  green,  or  blue  lake.  W.,  glas,  blue, 
verdant,  and  grey,  a  faded  shade  of  either ;  Ir.  glas,  grey  ;  Corn, 
and  Arm.,  glas,  blue,  green,  grey  ;  Arm.,  march  glas,  grey  horse  ; 
W.  and  ^orn.,  marc  glas,  grey  horse  ;  Ir.  and  G.,  each  glas,  grey 
horse. 

Gob-an-uisgaich — G.,  gob,  beak  or  point ;  uisgaich,  waters  ;  the 
point  or  beak  of  land  at  the  confluence  of  one  river  with  another, 
not  noticed  by  Joyce  or  Robertson,  yet  more  expressive  than  Aber 
or  Inver,  about  which  so  much  controversy  has  so  needlessly  and 
so  heedlessly  arisen  ;  Gob,  in  G.,  is  a  bird's  bill,  a  beak,  a  snout. 
In  W.  gwp  is  head  and  neck  of  a  bird,  joining  into  the  beak  or 
bill ;  here  in  Sutherland,  with  all  the  imperfections  attributed  to- 
ilbs  Gaelic,  excels,  in  this  and  many  other  words  and  phrases, 
Argyll  or  Inverness  in  primitive  words,  more  especially  in 
topographical  names.  The  word  gob  is  frequently  seen  and  heard 
of  in  Sutherland  regarding  the  meeting  of  waters,  and  whichever 
way  it  may  be  taken,  the  meeting  of  the  waters  gave  the  name  to- 
the  point  of  land  upon  which  the  habitation  was  fixed. 

Grianan — G.,  sunny  place,  a  place  upon  which  the  sun  shone 
longest  during  the  year.  The  Romans  adopted  the  sense  of 
this  word  from  the  Gauls  and  other  Celts  with  whom  they  came 
in  contact,  and  borrowed  the  word  Grann-us,  the  sun  or  sunny 
spot,  upon  which  they  built  a  villa  or  summer  house,  and  called  it 
Grann-us,  the  very  same  way  as  we  moderns  say  south  bank, 
south  side,  or  sunny  side  in  Anglo-Saxon,  and  from  no  other  cause 
and  for  no  other  reason.  The  Roman  or  Latin  name  for  sun  was 


Sutherland  Place  Names.  339 

sol ;  the  Gaelic  word  for  light  is  sol-us.  What  is  the  derivation 
of  that  Gaelic  word  u  Solus,"  it  is  "So-leus,"  light  easily  obtained 
from  the  sun,  hence  the  Latin  sol,  solis,  and  the  Greek  zeilos, 
light,  and  the  expansion  of  the  Gaelic  word  solus  into  soillear,  light, 
perceptive  knowlege  obtained  by  the  eye,  sul,  suil,  eye,  eyes.  . 

Inverbrora — G.,  inver,  innbhior,  point  of  land  at  the  confluence 
of  two  streams  or  rivers  meeting,  or  a  stream  or  river  falling  into 
the  sea,  as  at  Brora  and  elsewhere.  In  this  case  it  is  misapplied, 
from  the  fact  that  Inverbrora  is  at  the  best  a  mile  from  the  con- 
fluence, but  it  had  been  so  imposed  to  distinguish  it  when  the  large 
farm  of  Inverbrora  was  made  from  what  was  of  old  called  the 
Doll,  and  the  real  name  of  the  confluence  was  the  land  beside  it. 
The  harbour  and  the  salt-pans  constructed  on  that  land  were,  in 
the  olden  times,  1580  to  1601,  called  Inverbrora,  but  when  these 
works  were  constructed  and  a  village  built,  the  place-name  became 
Brora,  and  the  real  ancient  name  was  transferred  to  an  inland 
farm,  erected  in  1812.  "  Tempora  mutantur,  nos  mutamur  in 
illis."  so  do  "  Place-names." 

Kilbrar — G.,  cill-brathair,  the  cill,  or  cell  of  the  brother  (monk), 
a  Culdee,  where  he  located  himself  on  a  beautiful  site,  amongst  a 
large  population. 

Kil-calmkil — G.,  a  cell,  or  chapel,  dedicated  to  Columba  of  the 
Cells  or  Kills,  a  very  beautiful  spot  on  the  north  side  of  Loch 
Brora,  eastward  of  the  Grianan,  at  which  was  a  hamlet  named 
"  Sheanval,"  to  be  hereafter  noticed.  The  Gordons  of  Aboyne 
held  it  for  300  years  after  their  introduction  into  Sutherland,  and 
by  them  named  Gordon-bush.  In  1829,  the  Gordons  sold  it  to 
the  then  Marquis  of  Stafford,  great-grandfather  of  the  present 
Duke  of  Sutherland. 

Kilean — G.,  cell,  or  place  of  worship  dedicated  to  St  John. 

Kilpheder — G.,  Kil-pheadair,  place  of  worship  dedicated  to  St 
Peter ;  this  was  called  Kil-pheadair-mhor  in  contradistinction  to 
another  a  mile  lower  down  the  Strath,  called  Kil-pheadair-bheag. 

Pollie — G.,  place  by  or  near  a  pool ;  here  the  river  Black 
water  is  very  stagnant  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  virtually  forms 
a  pool,  or,  in  Gaelic,  poll ;  W.,  pwll ;  Corn.,  pol ;  Arm.,  poul ;  the 
very  Sutherland  pro.,  N.,  pollr  ;  Lat.,  pal-us  ;  Gr.,  pel-os. 

Scibercross — G.,  old  forms  in  Charters ;  Shiberscage,  Schibris- 
keig,  Scheb  or  skaik,  Serirscraig,  from  Sith,  a  high  place ;  bior,  a 
point;  and  es-caig,  waterfalls;  the  elevated  or  high  place  situated 
on  the  stream  flowing  by  it,  and  falling  in  cascades  to  the  river 
which  flows  below  it  at  a  short  distance.  Sciberscross  is  400  feet 
above  sea  level,  the  river,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  it,  is  only  224 
feet.  Crossing  the  Sciberscross  burn,  60  years  ago,  was  a  danger 


340  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

in  night  time,  which  only  the  manly  would  attempt,  and  even 
with  the  manly  it  was  a  danger  that  could  not  possibly  be  avoided. 
Necessity,  then  as  now,  had  no  law.  It  was  the  abode  of  bogles 
and  elfs  and  imps  of  the  lower  regions. 

Sheanvall — G.,  sean-bhaile,  the  old  hamlet;  the  ancient  name 
of  Kilcalmkill,  and  in  its  immediate  vicinity  here,  without 
doubt,  was  the  place  of  worship  dedicated  to  St  Columba,  and 
near  it  is  an  ancient  cemetery  in  which  the  rude  forefathers  of  the 
hamlet  sleep,  and  gone  to  dust,  and  where  the  heroes  of  those 
days  rest.  The  grave  of  a  chief  of  the  olden  times  was  here 
opened  some  years  ago,  and  in  it  were  found  large  human  bones. 
It  is  yet  distinguished  by  four  stones  and  a  covering  one — "  Sic 
transit  gloria  mundi  " — forgotten,  unknown. 


1st  MARCH,  1893. 

At  this  meeting  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  members 
of  the  Society  : — Honorary  members— Colonel  Alex.  Macdonald, 
Portree,  and  Mr  Duncan  Chisholm,  Colorado  Springs,  U.S.A. 
Ordinary  members — Mr  Dugald  Maclachlan,  banker,  Portree  ;  Mi- 
John  M.  Morrison,  Stornoway ;  Mr  S.  W.  C.  Gauld,  banker, 
Balmacara  ;  Mr  Kenneth  Cameron,  factor,  Ullapool ;  Rev.  Thomas 
Mackay,  Strath,  Skye ;  Captain  Mitchell,  Georgeneld,  Uddingston ; 
Rev.  Duncan  Macmichael,  Duncansburgh,  Fort  William  ;  Mr  John 
Mackenzie,  banker,  Inverness  ;  Mr  Alex.  Eraser,  grocer,  Tomna- 
hurich  Street,  Inverness  ;  Mr  James  Logan,  Music  Saloon,  Church 
Street,  Inverness ;  Mr  Keeble,  of  Morel  Bros.,  Inverness  ;  Mr  Neil 
M.  Cameron,  grocer,  Inverness  ;  Mr  Andrew  Mackintosh,  H.M. 
Customs,  Leith  ;  and  Mr  Hugh  Fraser,  Foyers  Cottage,  Inverness. 

The  paper  for  the  evening  was  contributed  by  Mr  Paul 
Cameron,  Blair- Athole,  entitled  "  Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs  and 
their  Composers,"  Paper  No.  II.1  Mr  Cameron's  paper  was  as 
follows  : — 

PERTHSHIRE   GAELIC   SONGS  AND  THEIR  COMPOSERS 

PAPER  No.  II. 
DONNACHA  LOUDUINN,  NO,  LOUDAIDH. 

Bha  an  duine  measarra  so,  a  Gleann-Liobhan,  far  an  d'  rugadh 
e,  mu  1730.  A  reir  coslais  dh'ionnsaich  e  an  t-saorsainneachd  agus 

1  For  Mr  Cameron's  first  paper,  see  Society's  Transaction*,  Vol.  XVII.,  }>.  l-'^. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  341 

a'  mhuilleireachd,  oir,  tha  cunntas  agam  air  e  a  bhidh  na  mhuilleir 
ann  an  muileann  Choire-Ch6mnlidh  an  Lochabar.  Anns  an  aite 
sin  chaill  e  leanabh-caileig  le  i  'bhi  air  a  bathadh  fo  'n  chuibhle- 
mhuilinn.  Mu  thimchioll  an  sgiorraidh  sin,  rinn  e  laoidh  do  'n 
ainm,  "  Laoidh  na  Leabach"  a  toiseachd — 

"  Ged  a  tha  mi  na  m'  leabaidh 
Cha  d'  fhuair  mi  an  cadal  air  choir." 

An  deighe  dha  Coire-Ch6innlidh  fhagail,  tha  e  coltach  gu  'n  tainig 
e  gu  'bhi  na  thuairnear,  agus  na  shaor  chuibhleacha-sniomhaidh, 
maille  ri  Dughall  Buchannain  an  Raineach.  Bha  e  beagan 
bhliadhnachan  a'  fanachd  an  Gleann-Eireachdaidh,  agus  o  sin 
chaidh  e  do  Ghleann-Fonnchaistuil  far  an  do  thuinich  e  gu  am  a 
bhais,  mu  'n  bhliadhna  1812.  Bha  e  na  dhuine  diadhaidh, 
dleasnachail,  a'  gabhail  tlachd  ann  an  eolas  an  Tighearna  losa 
Criosd  a  chraobh-sgaoileadh. 

Chaidh  na  "  Sean-fhocail  agus  na  Comhadan"  a  leanas,  a 
ch!6dh-bhualadh  air  tus  anns  a  bhliadhna  1797,  agus  an  dara 
clodh-bualaidh  anns  a  bhliadhna  1833 — 

"  Sean-f  hocail  gheur  'us  comhadan, 
Agus  moran  do  chomhairlean  glice, 
JS  mo  shaoileas  tu  gu  bheil  iad  feumail, 
Cuimhnich  an  leughadh  iii  's  trice." 

SEAN-FHOCAIL   AGUS   COMHADAN. 

Le  Donnacha  Louduinn. 

'N  uair  a  chailleas  neach  a  mhaoin, 

'S  gnothach  faoin  'bhi  'g  iarraidh  meas, 

Ge  do  labhair  e  le  ceill 

'S  beag  a  gheibh  e  'dh'  eisdeas  ris. 

'S  beag  sgoinn  do  mhointich  am  monadh ; 
'S  beag  sgoinn  do  choille  am  fasach  ; 
'S  lugha  meas  tha  'dhuine  falamh, 
'N  uair  'tha  earras  an  deigh  fhagail. 

'S  ioma  caraid  'th'  aig  fear  saibhir ; 

Tha  daoine  bochda  gun  phrls ; 

'S  gann  a  dh'  aidicheas  an  cairdean 

Gu  Jm  buin  iad  daibh  'us  iad  'bhi  'n  d\th. 

'S  fearr  a  bhi  bochd  na  'bhi'  breugach  ; 
'S  fearr  fheuchainn  na  'bhi'  's  an  duil ; 
'S  fearr  am  fear  a  chostas  beagan, 
Na  'm  fear  a  theicheas  ann  an  cuil. 


342  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

Tha  'n  fhirinn  gu  cliuiteach  sona, 
Cha  chron  air  duine  'bhi  fial ; 
'S  fearr  beagan  anns  an  onoir, 
Na  'n  donas  agus  ceithir  chiad. 

Is  ainmig  a  dh'  eireas  fortan, 
Le  fear  crosta  'bhios  gun  cheill ; 
'S  fearr  do  dhuine  fuireach  samhach 
Na  droch  dhan  a  chur  an  ceill 

Eiridh  tonn  air  uisge  balbh  ; 
<»heibhear  cearb  air  duine  glic  ; 
Eiridh  gnothach  le  fear  mall ; 
Bristidh  'm  fear  'tha  call  gu  trie. 

Tha  'ghaineamh  fhein  amis^gach  sruthan ; 
Oha  'n  'eil  tuil  air  nach  tig  traghadh  ; 
'S  dona  'n  cairdeas  gun  a  chumail, 
'S  cha  'n  fhaighear  duine  gun  f  hail  ing. 

Is  coltach  fear  'tha  ris  an  fhoill, 
?S  nach  'eil  sgoinn  aige  de  'n  choir 
Ris  an  duine  'thaisg  an  luaidh, 
Agus  a  thilg  uaithe  'n  t-6r. 

'S  dona  thig  maighdean  gun  'bhi  beusach ; 
Cha  dean  fear  gun  gheire  dan ; 
Cha  dean  fear  gun  fhoghlum  leughadh, 
'S  cha  tig  leigh  gu  duine  slan. 

'S  math  'bhi  siothail  anns  gach  ball ; 
(Jaillidh  daoine  dall  an  t-iul ; 
Is  sona  neach  a  bhios  gun  bheud, 
Ach  caillidh  luchd  nam  breug  an  cliu. 

Smuainich  mu  'n  dean  thu  labhairt, 
Ma  's  aill  leat  do  ghnothach  'bhi'  reidh  ; 
'S  fearr  dhut  sealltuinn  beagan  romhad, 
Na  sealltuinn  fada  air  do  dheigh. 

Is  trom  snith'  air  tigh  gun  tubhadh  ; 
Is  trom  tubaist  air  na  draichdean  ; 
'S  duilich  do  mhnaoi  beanas-taighe, 
Dheanamh  air  na  fraighean  fasa. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  343 

'Cha  trom  leis  an  loch  an  lach, 
Cha  trom  leis  an  each  an  t-srian, 
Cha  trom  leis  a  chaor'  a  h-olainn, 
'S  cha  truimid  a'  choluiun  a  ciall. 

Oha  trom  leis  an  fhiadh  a  chabar, 
Cha  trom  leis  a  choileach  a  chirein  ; 
'Ni  a  rnheasas  aon  neach,  mar  leth-trorn, 
Chi  neach  eil'  e,  mar  thoilinntinn. 

Tha  'n  neach  'tha  gleidheadh  seanchais  dhiomhain, 

'S  a  leigeas  diadhaidheachd  fo  'bhonn, 

Mar  a  bha  '11  te  e  thog  a  chath, 

'S  a  dh'  fhag  an  cruineachd  air  an  torn. 

Caillear  mart  an  droch  mhuthaich 
Seachd  bliadhna  roimh  a  mithich  ; 
Tha  sid  a'  feuchainn  's  a  dearbhadh 
<jrii  'n  tig  an  t-earchall  le  mi-fheairt. 

Cha  'n  fhuirich  muir  ri  uallach, 
Cha  dean  bean  luath  maorach; 
Cha  dean  bean  gun  aire  cugann, 
'S  cha  dean  bean  gun  fhuras  aodach. 

Far  am  bi  bo  bidh  bean, 
'S  far  am  bi  bean  bidh  buaireadh  ; 
Far  am  bi  fearg  bidh  bruidhinn, 
'Us  as  a'  bhruidhinn  thig  tuasaid. 

Am  fear  a  bhrathas  's  e  'mharbhas ; 
Cha  deanar  dearbhadh  gun  deuchainn  ; 
'S  gann  a  dh'  aithn'eas  tu  do  charaid, 
Ous  an  tachair  dhut  'bhi  'd  eigin. 

Cha  'n  'eil  saoi  gun  choimeas, 
Cha  'n  'etl  coille  gun  chrionaich ; 
'S  fear  beagan  a  mhathadh 
Na  sean  fhalachd  a  dhioladh. 

'S  math  caraid  anns  a'  chuirt, 
Ma  thig  neach  gu  trioblaid  ; 
Ach  's  fearr  eun  's  an  laimh 
Na  dha  air  iteig. 


344  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Leig  d'  eallach  air  lar  inn  '11  lag  thu, 
Ma  dh'  aithn'eas  tu  d'  eallach  trom  ; 
Is  mor  gur  fearr  au  cu  a  ruitheas, 
Na  'n  cu  a  shuidheas  air  torn. 

Bean  thlachdmhor,  gun  ghniomh,  gun  ghleidheadh,. 
Ge  do  thaitinn  i  ri  d'  shuil — - 
Ciod  am  feum  a  ta  'an  lann, 
Mur  bi  lamh  air  a  cul  ? 

Pigheid  chaileig  air  bheag  ceill, 
Ged  'robh  feudail  aic  'us  stor, 
Cha  'n  fhaod  a  fear  a  bhi  sona, 
Ma  bhios  i  gnogach  's  an  t-sroin. 

Bean  gun  naire,  gun  ghlidc^as, 
Bean  mhisgeach,  gun  bheusaibh — 
B'  fhearr  dhut  cu  'chur  mu  d'  amhuich, 
Na  do  cheangal  ri  te  dhiubh. 

Bean  ardanach,  labhar, 
Bean  ghabhannach,  cheilidheach, 
Is  tus  trioblaid  'us  aimbeairt 
Dol  ga  d'  cheangal  ri  te  dhiubh. 

Am  fear  a  gheallas  's  e  dh'  iocas, 
'S  e  'm  fear  a  dh'  iarras  a  phaidheas ; 
Cha  choir  do  neach  a  bhi  ullamh 
Gu  dol  'an  cunnart  no  'n  gabhadh. 

Am  fear  nach  dean  ar'  ri  latha  fuar, 
Cha  dean  e  buain  ri  latha  teth  ; 
Am  fear  nach  dean  obair  no  gniomh, 
Cha  'n  fhaigh  e  biadh  feadh  nam  preas. 

'S  fearr  sith  a,  preas  na  strith  ri  glais ; 
Bi  faicilleach  mu  d'  ghiulan, 
'S  f  uras  seasamh  'n  gnothach  ceart, 
(ie  d'  theid  gach  cuis  gu  'n  dubhlan. 

Is  tus  a'  ghliocais  eagal  De ; 

Cha  dean  eucoir  do  chur  suas, 

Co  dhiubh  is  math  no  's  olc  'tha  'd'  chre 

'S  ann  do  'reir  a  gheibh  thu  dnais 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs-  345 

Ts  fearr  an  ceartas  glan  na  'n  t-6r  ; 
Is  beag  air  duine  coir  an  fhoill  ; 
An  neach  a  charas  thu  o  d'  chul, 
e  'dhuil  an  cuid  an  doill. 


Is  ciatach  gnothach  follaiseach, 

Ach  's  dona  coniunn  cealgach  ; 

An  rud  a  gheibhear  aig  ceann  an  deamhain, 

Oaillear  e  aig'  earball. 

Is  olc  an  toiseach  cogaidh,  geilt  ; 

Clia  'n  ionann  sgeul  do  'n  chreich  's  do  'n  toir 

Is  searbh  gloir  an  fhir  a  theicb, 

\S  am  fear  a  dh'  fhuirich  ni  e  bosd. 

Is  fearr  'bhi  tais  na  'bin  ro  bhrais, 
O'n  's  e  is  lugha  ciiram  ; 
Is  fearr  suidhe  'n  tigh  a'  bhroin, 
Na  'n  tigh  a  cheoii  's  an  t-sugraidh. 

Cha  toir  neach  air  eigin  beairteas  ; 
'S  duilich  droch  chleachd  a  chuir  fas  ; 
Bheir  gach  Domlmach  leis  an  t-seachduin, 
'S  bheir  am  peacadh  leis  am  bas. 

Na  bi  eallamh  air  trodadh, 
'8  na  bi  toileach  air  tuasaid  ; 
Ach  ma  's  toigh  leat  do  leanabh, 
Na  bi  leisg  air  a  bhualadh. 

Bi  'n  comhnuidh  air  taobh  na  siothchaidh,. 

'S  na  bi  di-chaisg  air  bheag  aobhar  ; 

'S  fearr  dhut  amadan  a  bhreugadh, 

Na  dol  g'  a  fheuchainn  ann  an  caonnaig. 

Na  bi  talach  air  do  chuibhrinn, 
(le  do  robh  i  baileach  somhail, 
'S  fearr  greim  tioram  le  siothchaidh, 
Na  taigh  Ian  iobairt  le  comhstri. 

Ool  a  stri  ri  rud  gun  choslas, 

(  Jha  'n  'eil  ami  ach  gnothach  faoin  ; 

Cha  tig  feur  tre  na  clochaibh, 

'S  cha  tig  folt  tre  chlaigionn  aosd'. 


346  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Tha  e  cruaidh  air  duine  lag 

Dol  ri  bruthach  cas  na  steud  ; 

'S  tha  e  tearc  am  measg  an  t-sluaigh 

An  neach  sin  a  gheibh  buaidh  air  fein. 

Na  bi  'cur  na  ciont  air  each, 
Ma  tha  'n  fhailing  agad  f hein ; 
Is  duilich  neach  a  rib'  'an  slaod, 
'Us  ceann  an  taoid  aige  fein. 

'Neach  tha  gu  math  is  coir  dha  fuireach, 
'Us  gun  'bhi  'stri  ri  rud  nach  iomchuidh  ; 
Is  trie  'bha  call  an  deidh  an  turuis ; 
Ach  's  buidh  le  amadan  imrich. 

Is  fearr  cu  beo  na  leomhan  marbh  ; 
Is  fearr  min  gharbh  na  bhi  gun  bhlcth  ; 
An  rud  a  chi  thu  'thogas  fearg, 
Na  dean  dearmad  air  a  chleth. 

Thoir  aire  cia  mar  'ghluaiseas  tu  \ 
Oha  toir  thu  buaidh  le  farmad  ; 
Is  trie  le  gnothach  mirunach, 
Ou  'n  criochnaich  e  neo-shealbhar. 

Bi  eolach  mu  dhuine  an  tus, 

Mu  'n  innis  thu  do  run  g'  a  cheann  ; 

Na  cuir  do  chlar  air  a  thaobh 

Do  neach  nach  saoil  thu  'chuireadh  ami. 

Na  gabh  farmad  ri  neach  idir, 
Ge  d'  shaoileadh  tu  a  staid  'bhi  m6r ; 
A'  bheinn  is  airde  'tha  's  an  tir, 
'S  an  oirre  's  trice  'chi  thu  'n  ceo. 

'S  math  an  gille  greasaidh  an  t-eagal ; 
Tha  rud  air  theagamh  duilich  innseadh  ; 
'S  fearr  dhut  teicheadh  le  onoir, 
Na  dol  'thoirt  oidhirp  neo-chinnteach. 

'Nuair  a  theid  thu  do  'n  tigh-leanna, 
Na  iarr  a  bhi  'g  amailt  na  pairti ; 
'S  mithich  .druideadh  'ch6ir  an  doruis, 
'Nuair  a  theannas  an  sporan  ri  aicheadh. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  347 

Is  diomhain  dut  a  bhi  'toirt  teagaisg, 
Do  neach  a  chuir  cul  ri  eolas  ; 
Mar  thionnda  's  a'  chomhl'  air  a  bannaibh, 
Pillidh  an  t-amadan  ri  ghoraich. 

Ge  do  robh  thu  dripeil, 

'S  coir  dhut  'bhi  air  d'  fhaicill ; 

'8  iad  na  tomha  l  trice 

Ni  na  tomhaisean  cearta. 

Tha  ar  n-uine  ruith  gun  stad, 

Ceart  co  luath  's  a  thig  clach  le  gleami  ; 

Ni  i  stad  'nuair  thig  i  'n  lag, 

Us  bidh  a  h-astar  aig  a  chcann. 

Ceart  mar  a  thig  gaillionn,  no  sian, 
An  uair  nach  miann  leat  i  'bhi  ami, 
Is  amhluidh  sin  a  thig  an  t-aog, 
Ge  do  shaoil  thu  nach  b'  e  'n  t-am. 

Ceart  mar  a  sgaoileas  an  ceo 
'Nuair  a  thig  teas  air  o  'n  ghrein, 
Is  amhluidh  sin  a  shiubhlas  gloir, 
Us  ioma  dochas  air  bheag  feum. 

Cha  b'  e  comunii  an  da  ghann,2 
A  bha  'shanut  orm  'dheanamh  riut  ; 
Ach  an  rud  'bhiodh  agad  'ghabhail  uat, 
'S  an  rud  a  bhiodh  uat  a  thoirt  dhut : 

Nach  b'  e  siud  an  comunn  saor  1 

'S  cha  b'  e  comunn  nam  maor  mu  'n  chlar  ; 

B'  e  'n  comunn-sa  'bhi  toirt  a  null, 

'S  cha  chomunn  ach  null  's  a  nail. 

Ma  's  nor  gach  sean  fhocal, 
A  labhradh  le  luchd  geire  ; 
Bheir  foid  brcithe  agus  bais 
Duine  air  atha  's  air  eigin. 

DONNACHA   MAC-DHIARMAID. 

Bha  an  dhuine  so  ro-fheumail  na  latha,  leis  an  taland 
chiuil  a  bh'  aige.  Cha  robh  gleann  no  srath  an  Siorrachd 
Phe  lirt,  ach  gann,  amis  nach  robh  e  a'  cumail  sgoil-sheinn.  Ged  a 

1  tomachan.     2  Math-fhaoidte,  do-ghann,  neo-ghann,  ueo-phairteachail. 


348  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

bha  fradharc  a  shul  ga  dhith,  cha  robh  rathad  m6r  's  an  duthaich, 
no  sraid  's  a  bhaile-mhargaidh  nach  siubhladh  e,  gun  sgath,  gun. 
sgiorradh.  Kugadh  e  'an  Acheasain  an  Gleann-Dochard,  ran  'nv 
bhliadlma  1798.  Mu  1850  chaidh  e  do  Dhuneidinn,  far  an  do- 
ph6s,  agus  an  do  thuinich  e.  Sheinn  Donnacha  an  t-oran  a  leanaa 
aig  dinneir  eireachdail  a  chaidh  thoirt  seachad,  an  taigh-osda — 
Dhrochaid-Choinneachain,  mar  6nair  do  dh'  Fear  Phort-an-Eilein — 

OUAN    1)0    FHEAR   PHORT-AN-EILEIN    TAOBH   LOCH   TEAMHAIL. 

Le  Donnacha  Mac-Dhiarmaid. 

'S  i  so  deoch  slaint  an  armuinn, 
'S  gun  ol  sinn  i  le  failte  ; 
Mac-Dhiarmaid  fear  Bho-thaluidh, 
Tha  'n  drasta  anns  a  Phort, 
A  shiol  nam  Baran  prlfeeil 
A  chleachd  a  bhi  'n  Gleannliobhan, 
Na  sair  dhaoin'  uailse  siobhailte, 
Nach  striochdadh  anns  an  trod. 

B'  e  sid  am  fior  dhuin  nasal, 

'S  gach  faillein  'tha  ris  fuaighte  ; 

Cha  chualas  bonn  de  'bhruaidhlean, 

Ach  suairc,  'us  dileas  ceart ; 

An  fhiorfhuil  ghlan,  gun  truaille, 

'8  an  fhine  bho  na  bhuaint'  'thu  ; 

'S  gur  ioma  fiuran  nasal 

A  thainig  uat  a  mach. 

Thaobh  eile,  bho  do  mhathair, 
Cha  'n  fhaod  mi  fanachd  samhach, 
Ach  labh'ram  air  na  h-armuinn 
A  b'  abhaist  'bhi  's  a  Phort ; 
Na  Stiubhartaich  gu  cmnteach, 
Do  chinneadh  math  nan  righrean, 
A  bh'  againn  ioma  linn, 
Anns  an  rioghachd  so  le  ceart. 

'S  a'  thaobh  do  cheile  ph6sda, 
Gu'n  dean  mi  beagaii  comhraidh, 
'S  bean  uasal  i  'tha  sonraicht', 
'Us  coir  aic'  air  le  ceart ; 
A  thaobh  an  teaghlaich  uasail, 
'S  an  stoc  'ud  as  'n  do  bhuaint'  iad  ; 
Tigh  Fas,  'tha  cliuiteach  fiachail, 
Bho  '11  chiad  fhear  thain'  a  mach. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  349 

Nach  fhaic  sibh  'n  t-oigfhcar  sunndach, 

Tha  againn  anns  an  rum  dhiubh, 

Gur  m6r  am  meas  's  an  cliu  do 

Ar  duthaich  e  'bhi  ami  ; 

Tha  'riaghladh,  tairis,  ciallach, 

Gu  turail,  aoidheil,  fialaidh  ; 

Le  thargaid,  'us  le  sgiath, 

Gu  ar  dionadh  o  gach  namh. 

Tha  Fas  'us  Seastal  'd'  staoile, 
'S  a  bharr  air  sin  'na  d'  oighreaehd  ; 
'S  tu  'n  leomhan  sgairteil  loinneil ; 
'S  tu  'n  saighdear  amis  gach  cas  ; 
;S  nan  tigeadh  namhaid  streupail, 
A  bhagairt  oirnn  le  eucoir, 
Ou  'n  tugadh  tusa  beum  dha, 
'S  le  creuchdan  bhidh  e  leoint'. 

Gur  caomh  an  am  na  sith  thu, 

'8  gur  garg  an  am  na  stri  thu, 

Gur  daoimein  amis  gach  tir  thu, 

'S  na  miltibh  ort  an  toir ; 

Gur  laoch  fearail,  treun,  thu, 

'Nuair  chuireadh  tu  'm  bogh'-grein  oirr', 

Gu  'm  biodh  i  ami  ad  reir  sa, 

'Nuair  labhradh  tu  gu  stoild'. 

'S  tu  'm  fiuran  flat-hail,  finealt, 
'S  tu  ceist,  us  gradh,  nan  nionag, 
'8  tu'  bheireadh  dhaibh  toilinntinn, 
'Nuair  tharladh  tu  nan  coir  ; 
Ach  guidheam  ceile  uasal, 
•Gu  grad  a  bhi  riut  fuaighte, 
Le  fearrunn  's  airgiod  f  uasgailt, 
'Us  buaidhean  bhanail,  choir. 

Ach  a  Bharain  mhoir  Bho-thaluulh, 
'S  ami  'their  mi  fhathast  pairt  riut, 
Bho  '11  's  tu  Ceann-cinnidh  araid, 
Is  fhearr  learn  thu  'bhi  ami ; 
'S  a  thaobh  nam  fiuran  aluinn, 
A  sheasas  leat  gu  laidir, 
:8  toilintinn  h-uile  la  dhuinu, 
Na  h-armuinn  air  ar  ceann. 


350  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'Chlann  Dhiarmaid  bidhibh  siochail, 

'S  na  togaibh  dhasan  mi-thlachd  ; 

Ach  gluaisibh  anus  an  fhirinn, 

'S  air  cridhe  rioghail  glan  ; 

<  )'n  's  c  'n  Ceann-cinnidh  fior-mhaith, 

A  th'  againn  aims  an  tiom  so ; 

\S  'mbac  oighrc  bidb  dhuinn  dileas  ; 

:S  mis  db'  fhaodadh  innse  'n  nochd. 

An  t-oighre  's  e  gu  clnnteach, 
Ard  lighiche  na  tire, 
An  t-oigfhear  smiorail,  riomhach  ; 
'S  gur  grinn  learn  cainnt  a  bheoil, 
A  cbron  cba'n  'eil  ri  aireamh, 
(.)  cbul  a  cbinn  gu  'sl^iltean, 
Lo  aghaidh  fhlathail,  aillidh, 
A  thaladh  nain  ban  6g. 

Tha  baintigliearn'  6g  's  an  tir  so, 
'S  i  cireachdail  thair  mbiltibb, 
'S  bu  mbaitb  loam  i  'riut  sinte, 
Air  oh  hint'  a  bharain  oig  ; 
'S  i  sin  J//.s.<«  Emlidb  Stiubhart, 
l)e  n  teaghlach  ''ud  'bba  cliuiteacb, 
An  fhior  bbean  nasal  iulnibor, 
'S  gacb  giulain  air  gacb  doigb. 

Hidh  'n  tanaistear  na  clhion  duinn, 
( )'n  fhuair  e  staigb  <lo  'n  riaghailte  : 
Tha  cumail  ccart  ns  siotbaimb, 
Us  ciosnacbadh  na  riogb'chd, 
'S  gu'n  cuir  e  romhaiim  seoladb, 
?N  nair  'theid  sinn  tbnn  na  corach, 
A  bbeir  dhuinn  moran  eolais, 
Us  foghlimi  aims  gach  ni. 

Tha  maighstir  Rob.  an  drasta, 
Air  faotuinn  urram  staiteil, 
'S  gur  toileachas  gu  brath  dhuinn, 
An  radh  a  thain'  an  nail, 
Gu'n  choisinn  e  buaidh-larach, 
Aig  cruinneachadb  nan  Oaidheal, 
Thug  sid  mor  mheas  'us  ciatacbd, 
Do  chlann  Diarmad  aims  an  am. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  351 

Am  fiuran  sin  is  oige, 

Nis  guidheam  sonas  mor  dha, 

Le  onair,  agus  morchuis, 

'Us  foghlum  aims  gach  tiom, 

Nis  bidh  mi  criochnach  m'  orain, 

'S  cha  tug  mi  leth  n'  is  coir  dhonih, 

Do'n  chuideachd  chridheil,  choir  sin, 

Thug  solas  dhomh  nach  gann. 


ROB  MAC-DHUGHAIL. 

Tha  m6r-mheas  agam  air  gne-bhardachd  an  Ughdair  so.  Tha  i 
soilleir,  siubhlach,  neartmhor.  Bu  mhac  e  do  dh'  Alastair  Mac- 
Dhughail,  a  bha  na  thuathanach  'am  Braigh-Fasaidh.  Chaidh  e 
do  dh'  Australia  mu'n  bhliadhna  1843,  far  an  do  ghabh  e  tuineachas 
mu  cheithir  mile  bho  Mhelbourn.  Bhiodh  e  aig  an  am  sin,  a  reir 
iomraidh,  mu  dha  fhichead  bliadhna  'dh  'aois. 

COMUNN    NA    STUAMACHD. 

Le  Rob  Mac-Dhughaill. 

Seisd — Buaidh  le  conmnn  mo  ghaoil ! 
Piseach  air  com  mm  mo  ghaoil ! 
0  !  soirbheachadh  math  leis  a  chomunn 
A  chuir  an  droch  obair  ma  sgaoil. 

Gu'n  tuigeadh  an  leughadair  suairce, 
An  comunn  a  luaidh  mi  am  rann ; 
'S  e  comunn  fior  ghasda  na  Stuamachd, 
Mu'n  togainn  mo  dhuan  aims  an  am 
An  comunn  a  dh'  eulaidh  mu  thuath  oirnn' 
Feadh  ghlacagan  uaigueach  nan  gleann, 
A'  leasachadh  cleachdaidh  na  ttiath-cheairnn, 
'S  a  cheartachadh  gluasaid  nan  Claim. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Tha  'n  Comunn  so  urramach,  feumail, 

A  chasgadh  gach  eucoir  'us  go  ; 

'S  thoirt  caochlaidh  ro  rnhathasach  ceutaeh, 

Air  abhaist  mi-cheillidh  nan  slogh  ; 

Am  fear  a  bha  'n  uiridh  le  daoirich, 

Na  shineadh  's  an  aolach  gun  treoir, 

Tha  'm  bliadhna,  air  fhein  's  air  a  theaghlach, 

Le  'aran  's  le  'aodach  a  foir. 

Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 


352  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'S  a  bhean  a  bha  'n  uiridh  gle  dhiumach 

'S  lc  bochduinn  fo  thuirse  's  fo  bhr6n, 

Tha  'm  bliadhna  gu  h-aighearach,  muirneacli, 

'S  am  pailteas  mu  turlach  de  Ion. 

0  'n  'mhosgail  fear  tighe  o  'dhusal, 

'S  a  dh'  fhosgail  a  shuilean  o  ch!6  ; 

'S  a  dh'  eirich  gu  farrumach,  siirdail, 

Mar  dhuine  as-ur  a'  tigh'nn  beo. 

Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

0  'n  threigeadh  leo  cuideachd  dhroch  dhaoine, 
'S  an  coluadar  baobhail  gun  tur  ; 
Fhuair  fuasgladh  a  aimbeart  an  t-saoghail, 
'Us  mhothaich  iad  saorsadh  as-ur. 
Faic  'nis  iad  gu  h-aithreachail  geamnuidh, 
"  'G  ath-cheannach'  na  h^aimsir"  le  sg ohm  ; 
'S  'toirt  eiseamplair  's  airidh  a  leanmhuinn, 
Le  'n  oibribh  's  le  'n  sean'chas  do  'n  cloinn. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Gu'm  b'ionmholt'  gu'n  teagamh  's  bu  chliuiteack 
An  gradh  chuir  air  tus  e  air  bonn ; 
Gradh  dian  nach  robh  farasd  a  mhuchadh, 
'Las  cridheachan  iulmhor  nan  sonn  ; 
Le  curam  mu  an'ma  neo-bhasmhor, 
A  thearnadh  gu  brath  's  a  chuir  saor ; 
Ged  their  a  chuid  mhor  de  na  phrabar, 
"  Cha  'n  'eil  iad  ach  'sabhal  am  maoin." 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Is  ainmeil  am  ball  deth  's  is  fheumail, 
An  sagart  'tha  'n  Eirionn  ud  thall  ; 
Bu  bhuannachdail  sealbhach  do  cheudaibh, 
A  chuairt  'thug  an  treun-laoch  a  nail ; 
Thug  Mattheiv  math,  ioniadh  fear  dalma, 
A'  purgadoir  gailbheach  an  oil ; 
•    Chuir  an  sagart  so  comaiu  air  Alba, 
Ged  dhiult  e  's  a  charbhas  'dhi  fe6il. 

Buaidh  le  Mattheiv  an  laoch,  etc. 

Gur  fhada  'bhios  cuimhn'  agus  luaidh,  air 
A  bhall  sin  deth,  Ruairidh  l  nan  glonn ; 
A  theann  ris  's  na  h-eileanaibh  tuathach, 
'S  a  sgaoil  e  gu  buadhach  'n  ar  fonn  ; 

Mi-  Kuuiridh  Macleoid,  ministear  an  t-soisgeil,  'an  Ceaun-loch-Sniosart  't-  an 
Eilean  Sgiathanach. 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  353 

la  dileas  's  is  gaisgeil  an  fhianuis 

E,  ged  a  bha  iarmad  gun  cheill ; 

A  feuchainn  ri  'sgaradh  o  'n  fhion-lios, 

Mar  mheangan  de  chrionuich  gun  fheum. 

Buaidh  le  Ruairidh  mo  ghaoil,  etc. 

Ana  fear  a  ghabh  aisling  neo-bhrioghar, 
Nach  bi  e  ga  h-innseadh  gach  la  ; 
Ach  e-san  ghabh  focal  na  firinn, 
Sior  sheasadh  e  dileas  do  ghna  ; 
Ciod  e,  an  droch  mholl  do  na  chruinneachd  1 
No  ciod  e,  an  cruinneachd  do  'n  mholl  ? 
'N  teid  daoine  glan  stuama  'nan  cuideachd, 
Is  daoraich  gan  luidreadh  's  a  pholl  1 

Cha  teid  :  oir  gu  deimhinn  is  leir  dhuinn, 
An  caochla  'th  air  beusaibh  an  t-sloigh 
O'n  thuig  iad  da  rireadh  gu  'm  b'  fheumail, 
'Bin  diteadh  's  a  seunadh  na  p6it ; 
Na  misgearan  mosach  le  athadh 
Cha  tog,  air  an  latha,  an  siiil  : 
Mu  's  fheudar  <>u  'n  caisg  iad  am  pathadh, 
'S  .-inn  dh'  eigheas  iad  searrag  do  chuil. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Mo  thruaighe  !  air-son  luchd  nan  taigh-osdti, 
Tha  cusbair  an  dochuis  'dol  eug 
Cha'n  ioghna  iad  'chasadh  an  sron  rinn, 
'ri  bhi  'g  aithris  droch  sgleo  oirnn  'us  bhreug — 
O  'n  thachair  do  chomunn  na  Stuamachd, 
Bhi  se6ladh  an  t-sluaigh  air  deagh  cheum ; 
Chaill  moran  diubh  "  dochas  am  buannachd." 
'S  cha  'n  fhaigh  iad  na  dh'  fnuasglas  am  feum. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

AN    II.    CUID. 

0  !  c'ait  a  bheil  obair  cho  suarach, 
Ri  suidhidh  mu  'n  cuairt  air  a  bhord  ! 
An  conaltradh  dana  ri  tuaileas, 
Ri  brionnal  mi-chuannta  ag  61 ; 
Co-fharpais  gun  tlachd  agus  buaireas 
Mu  dheireadh  a'  bualadh  nan  dorn  ; 
'S  a  mionnachadh,  'chaoidh  nach  duin-uasal : 
An  siachair  nach  sguab  leis  a  chorn  1 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

23 


354  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Fear  riichdail  an  leth-oir  na  luatha, 

Fear  eile  'na  shuacan  air  st61 — 

Fear  'bruchdail  's  a  sgeitheadh  rau  'n  chuaiche. 

'S  fear  eile  'toirt  fuaim  air  a  che61 ; 

An  namhaid  gu  ailghios  ri  lua'ghair, 

Cha  'n  iarr  e  ceol-cluaise  ni  's  fheaiT ; 

'M  feadh  dh'fhanas  an  cogaisean  suaimlmeach, 

Oir  tha  iad  gu  luath  a  dol  cearr. 

Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

'S  a  mhaduinn  an  am  dhoibh  sud  dusgudh, 
'S  neo-aoidheil  an  gnuis  'us  am  fiamh  ; 
lad  anshocrach,  acaineach,  ciiirta 
Trom,  airsneulach,  bruite  nan  cliabh; 
Cha  chluinnear  o'n  slugan  ach  carsan, 
Oir  theirig  an  tabhachd  'g^rui  cli ; 
Cha  ghabh  'us  cha'n  fhulling  biadh  laidir 
Cha  fhreagair  d'  an  caileachd  ach  tea. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Nach  anabarrach  meallta  am  bruadar, 
Bha  'n  eanchainnibh  luaincach  nan  Gael  ; 
'N  uair  mheas  iad  an  carraid  's  an  tuasaid 
'An  cuideachaibh  truaillidh  nam  bal. 
Mar  ghaisge,  mar  nrram,  's  mar  chruadal, 
Bha  dhoibhsai?  tin*  dhualach  's  an  stri ; 
Nach  ioghna'  uach  tuigeadh  na  truaighain, 
Ciod  e  chuir  an  t-uabhar  'nan  cri. 

Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Ach  'nis  bheir  an  Comunn  so  buaidh  orr', 
'Us  treigidh  am  fuath  'us  am  fraoch  ; 
Cha  Jn  fhaicear  tuill'  eabar  mu  ghuaillibh, 
No  sgrioba  mu  ghruaidhibh  nan  laoch  ; 
Cha  bhi  fear-na-toiseachd  an  uachdar, 
A'  cur  nan  daoin'  uaillse  fo  shail ; 
Bi'dh  iadsan  gu  ceannalta,  suairce, 
'Us  paidhidh  an  tuath  dhoibh  na  mail. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Cha  'n  fhaicear  fir  choire  na  stuaime, 
Ni  's  mo  aig  luchd  druaibe  an  sas  ; 
Mu  ;s  eiginn  gu'n  iarr  iad  'bheag  uatha, 
Leo  iocar  a  luach  dhoibh  gun  dail ; 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  355 

Dh'  fhalbh  cosnadh  nan  earraide  crosda, 
'Bha  fiaradh,  le  brosgal  'an  rod  ; 
Chaill  iadsan  an  greim  bh'  ac  de  'n  cusbair, 
'S  cha  chluinnear  an  gusgal  's  a  mh6d. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Ach  sibhse  'chuir  Comunn  na  Stuamachd, 
An  aidbheil  caoin-shuarach,  's  an  n6s ; 
Tha  raise  'g  radh  ribh  anns  an  uair  so, 
•Gii  bheil  sibh  'na  'r  truaillidheachd  fos  ; 
Cha  dan  'us  cha  nar  leam  'bhi  'g  mnseadh 
Gu  'n  tug  sibh  do  fhlreantachd  fuath  ; 
Oir  dearbhar  gu  beachdaidh  o  '11  fhirinn 
'Ur  cleachdaidh  's  'ur  h-inntinn  'bhi  tual. 
Buaidh  le  Comunn,  etc. 

Nach  soilleir  ri  leughadh  's  a  Bhiobul, 
'S  na  briathraibh  a  sgriobhadh  le  Pol ; 
Nach  sealbhaich  luchd-misg'  agus  mi-ghniomh, 
'Chaoidh  cuibhrinn  an  rioghachd  na  gloir  ! 
<*ur  ann  a  tha  'n  an'ma  fo  'n  diteadh, 
'S  gu  'm  bi  iad  gu  dillinn  'an  truaigh  ! 
'S  nach  'eil  aig  an  corpaibh  do  shiochaint, 
Ach  fhad  's  'bhios  iad  sinnte  's  an  uaigh ! 

:S  truagh  gum  bitheadh  clann-daoin, 
Struigheadh  an  an'ma  's  am  maoin  ! 
Nacli  neartaicheadh  lamhan  a'  Ckomuinn, 
'S  gu'n  cuireadh  droch  obair  cho  faoin  ! 

Nach  treigeadh  os-aird  'us  os-iosal, 
Na  doigheana  millteach  gun  agh  ! 
Bha  measail  na  latha  aig  Dives, 
'S  a  threoraich  na  milte  gu  cradh  ! 
Nach  aonadh  ri  Comunn  nam  firean,  . 
'S  an  spiorad  's  am  firinn,  ri  'n  ceann ; 
An  caraid  tha  tairis  'us  dileas, 
'S  gu  suthainn  nach  diobair  am  fann  ; 

los  an  Slanuighear  caomh, 

Cia  mor  a  ghradhaich  an  saogh'l, 

'Nuair  thainig  e  'shaoradh  a  phobuill  1 

'S  a  dhaingoeachadh  Comuinn  nan  Naomh. 


356  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

DONULL  MAC-FHEARGHAIS. 

Rugadh  Donull  Mac  Fhearghais  aim  an  Sgireachd  Lagan-rait, 
mu'n  bhliadhna  1802.  Bha  e  na  mhaighstir-sgoile  car  moran 
bhliadhnachan  aig  Dail-charn  mu  she  mile  o  Dhunchaillinn.  An 
deigh  dha  an  t-aite  sin  fhagail  bha  e  'cumail  sgoile  as  a  leth  fein, 
aig  Dunchaillinn  mu'n  cuairt  do  dha  bhliadhna ;  agus  o  sin, 
chaidh  e-fhein,  's  a  bhean  's  a  theaghlach  do  dh'  Australia. 

COMH-CHRUINNEACHADH  FIR  AT.HALL  A  DH' FHAILTEACHD  JNA  BAN-RIGH, 
ANN  AN  DUN-CHAILLINN  's  A  BHLIADHNA  1842. 

Le  Donull  Mac  Fhearghais. 

A'  boillsgeadh  gu  tla-gheal  tha  dearsadh  na  greine, 

Le  ailleachd  na  maduinn'  a'  failteach'  an  la ; 

Tha  'choisridh  le  'n  ribheid  o  dhoimhneachd  na  coille, 

Air  fann-ghaoth  a'  ghlinne  a  taomadh  an  dain : 

Tha  ard-bheann  'us  creag-bheallach  le  iolach  'us  bas-bhualadh, 

Gach  tulach,  gach  comhnard  'us  coire  fad'  reidh, 

Nochdadh  furain  'us  failte,  le  buaidh-aithris  na  Gaeltachd, 

'S  mac-talla  gu  siubhlach  co-fhreagairt  do  'n  sgeul. 

'S  ro  aoibhneach  an  la  a  dhealraich  air  Athall — 

La'  aluinn  cian-ainmeil,  'an  eachdraidh  r'  a  luaidh, 

Tha  Ban-righ  Victoria,  priomh-uachdran  na  cruiune, 

Air  astar  le  h-Ailbeart  'an  Albainn  rnu  thuath  : 

Beannachd  ga  d'  leanntain  dlu,  aon  chuspair  gach  cri'  's  gach  sul,. 

Gach  solas,  's  gach  mathas  a'  feitheamh  do  chuairt ; 

Tha  togradh  nam  miltean  'guidhe  piseach  a'  chaoidh  dhuibh, 

'Charaid  rioghail  a'  ghraidh,  na  boidhchid  's  nam  buadh. 

Athall  mo  ghraidh,  mo  chearn-bhreth  thu  's  mo  dhachaidh, 

Craobh-sgaoilidh  do  dhilseachd  gu  h-ard  feadh  gach  iall ; 

Gu  dilinn  bi'dh  luaidh  air  la  faiche  Dhun-Chaillinn 

'S  co-chriiinneach'  nam  fine  le  ceanaltas  fial ; 

Le  annsachd  tha  clann  nan  Gael,  gu  coitcheann  le  cridhibh  blath, 

Am  balachan  na  mhear-lai',  's  an  t-aosda  air  liath' — 

An  ribhinn  is  aillidh  snuadh,  's  an  t-6igear  deas,  smearail,  cruaidh, 

Chum  ionad  na  coinneimh  le  dealas  a'  triall. 

Cha  sealladh  gach  la  'tha  an  tras  air  a  thaisbean', 
Cha  'nuallan  la-feille  '"tha  togail  an  sgeul ; 
Tha  na  fine  a  mach  fo  cheannsal  'n  cinn-feadhna, 
Seall'  is  aillidh  an  diugh  fo  ghorm-bhrat  nan  speur  : 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  357 

Tha  uil'  ghreadhnachas  naduir,  's  uile  shuaicheantas  ard-thir, 
Air  ard-ghleus  gu  h-aghmor,  's  a  phiob'reachd  a'  seid  ; 
Tha  'n  luath-ghair  a'  meudach  's  an  ait-ioilach  ag  eiridh — 
Tha  bhan-righ  's  an  astar  'an  carbad  nan  steud. 

Failt'  air  na  laoich — mile  failte  'us  buaidh  dhoibh, 

}Tha  teachd  le  Gleann-Libheann  o  gharbhlach  nani  beann, 

Le  targaid  'us  claidheamh  'us  cath-thuath  Lochabar, 

'S  an  snasadh  mar  eilid  a'  frith-leum  's  a  ghleann 

Tha  gaisgich  Shrath-Mairidh,  Shrath-Teimheil,  's  Bhraigh-Athall, 

Shrath-Arduil,  Shrath-Tadha,  Thulaich-mhaite  's  Dhail-charn, 

'Gu  deas  uidheamaicht,'  6rdail,  'glacadh  geur  air'  na  codhail — 

'San  t-ard-fhlath  Dun-blathain,  's  Claim- Fhionnlaidh  Bhraigh-mhar. 

Tha'  Bhan-righ  am  fagus,  'nis  seid  suas  an  ealaidh, 
Feuch  bratach  nam  buadh  air  an  ard-thur  a'  snamh  : 
Tha  'suilean  a'  glacadh  cuairt  aluinn  Dhun-Chaillinn, 
'S  na  gunnacha'  m6ra  'toirt  sanas  do  'n  bhlar ; 
'Cluinn  an  toirm-ghair  ag  eiridh,  o  ghillean  an  fheilidh, 
'S  an  iolach  a  meudach'  air  astar  a  chomhnard, 
Tha  Victoria  'us  Ailbeart  fo  thearmann  na  Gaeltachd — 
Buaidh  chaithream  gu  suthainn,  6  hi,  ho  ro  ! ! 

'S  flathail  ged  's  tla,  's  rioghail  ged  's  caoimhneil, 

An  ard-shuil  'tha  dearcadh  air  trom-shreath  nan  laoch, 

'S  e  ceud  phears'  na  cruinne,  is  aobhar  gach  urram 

Tha  measadh  fior  dhilseachd  fir  Athall  da  taobh  ; 

€ha  do  sheas  riamh  air  airich,  'thug  barrachd  a  iohlar  orra 

Cruaidh,  calma,  deas,  innealt,  gun  amhluadh,  's  gun  gho  ; 

5S  baideal  dionaidh  an  tras  iad  do  Bhan-righ  na  Gaeltachd — 

Sliochd  an  sinnseir  a  mach  biodh  buaidh  aig  na  se6id. 

Tha  'm  pailliunn  gu  reachdmh6r  measg  boidhchid  an  reidhlein, 

A'  dealradh  le  seudan,  's  tha  chuirm  air  a  sgaoil' ; 

Tha  ard  ainm  ar  tir-bhreth,  le  fialachd  'Ghlinn-Libheann, 

A'  nochdadh  gur  rioghail  tuath  ghlinn  an  fhraoich  ; 

Tha  'n  itheanaich  is  priseil,  's  gach  lios-mheas  is  milse, 

Us  beo-dhibhe  na  fionain  a'  cuartach  a  bhuird — 

'S  an  t-ard-fhlath  an  Ceannard,  aig  deas  laimh  na  Ban-righ, 

'S  a  cheile  a'  Bhan-mhorair  's  am  Prionnsa  dhi  dluth. 

Tha  Bhan-righ  a'  fagail — beannachd  nan  Gael  le', 
A  cuis-sa  's  i  'n  cuis-sa  c6  theireadh  no  dh'  fheud  ; 
Soraidh  :s  an  am  le,  'us  soraidh  do  dh'  Ailbeart, 
Am  Freasdal  g'  an  dionadh  o  dhochann  's  o  bheud — 


359  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

'S  o  'n  tha  iad  air  falbh  uainn,  air  chuairt  do  Bhraid-Albann, 
Tha  Athall  le  fiughar  beachd  leanailt  an  curs' — 
Oha  di-chuimhnichear  chaoidh  leinn,  dealas,  giiilan,  'us  caoimhneas,, 
Victoria  'us  Ailbeart  ar  'n  annsachd,  's  ar  diiil. 

Deoch-slainte  na  Ban-righ  's  a  ceilc  am  Prionnsa 
Sguab  as  e,  gach  fior  Ghael  le  sodan  'us  sunnt ; 
Deoch-slainte  Ghlinn-Libheann,  ard  cheannard  fir  Athall, 
'S  a  Bhan-mhorair  aluinn — ni  's  fhearra  gu  gbrunnd  ; 
Agus  blamaid  uile,  Faschoille  'us  Urrard, 
Bail'-na-Cille,  's  an  Tulaich,  Ceanndrogan,  'us  Leoid — 
'Us  olamaid  le  fathrum,  am  fior  ghaisgeach  an  Doire  ; 
Deoch-slainte  an  fhreiceadain,  6  hi,  h6  r6  ! 


DONNACHA  MAC-G1LBKADHAIN. 

Bha  an  t-iighdar  deas-dhanach  so,  na  mhinistear  diadhaidhr 
saothrachail,  anns  an  Eaglais  Shaoir  'an  Glean n-Urchaidh  re 
cheithir  bliadhna  deug  air  fhichead.  Chaochail  e  air  an  seathamh 
latha  fichead  de  December,  1871,  'nuair  a  bha  e  a  dh'  aois  se 
bliadhna  deug  'us  tri  fichead.  Bha  Mr  Mac-Gilleadhain  fo  'n  ainni 
"  Fior  Ghael "  na  charaid  dileas,  deallasach,  do  'n  "  Teachdaire 
Gaelach  "  fad  a  reis  ghoirrid.  Tha  'n  t-6ran  maiseach  a  leanas,  a 
nochdadh  "  Aoibhneas  a  Bhroin,"  a  mhosguil  aim  an  cridhe  an 
ughdair  air  dha  dearcadh  air  maisealachd  tir  a  bhreth  'us  oige — 
agus  theirear  rium,  gur  ro-ainmig  a  chithear  sealladh,  a  bheir 
barrachd  air  cruth  'us  ailleachd  na  duthcha  sin. 

8BALLADH   O    MHULLACH    SHROIN-A'-CHLACHAIN   AIG    CILLFHINN. 

Le  Donnacha  Mac-Gilleadhain. 

'S  mi  'in  shuidh'  air  an  tulaich, 
Air  mullach  an  aonaich, 
Gun  duine  a'  m'  chuideachd — 
Gu  buileach  a'  m'  aonar — 
Tha  smaointeanan  iomadh 
Air  m'  an  am  ag  aomadh, 
'Bha  fada  na  'n  cadal ; 
Ach  innseam  an  t-aobhar. 

Tha  mo  shuil  air  Loch-Tadha, 
'S  gach  faileas  is  boidhche 
A  chi  mi  na  broilleach 
Mur  chaoin  uchd  caomh  oighe  ; 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  359 

Mar  leanabh  na  chadal 
'Am  maduinn  na  h-6ige, 
A  ghaoth  buin  gu  caomh  ris 
Mu  'n  caochail  a  gloirmhais'. 

Tha  'n  sealladh  'tha  'sgaoil' 

Air  gach  taobh  agus  laimh  dhiom 

Lan  maise  mar  'b'  abhaist, 

'S  gnuis  naduir  gun  sgraing  oirr' ; 

Na  coilltean  cho  urar 

'S  luchd-ciuil  air  gach  crann  diubh,. 

Le  'n  ceileirean  siubhlach — 

Mo  run-sa  gach  am  iad  ! 

Tha  Dochard  'na  dheannaibh, 
A'  teannadh  ri  L6chaidh, 
An  coinneamh  a  cheile, 
Bean  bheusach  chiuin  chomhnard  ; 
'S  '11  uair  thig  i  'na  ghlacaibh 
'S  a  naisgear  iad  comhladh, 
Grad  threigidh  a  bhuirb'  e 
'Us  striochdaidh  a  mh6rchuis. 

Is  maiseach  an  sealladh 

Gleann-Dochard  's  Gleann-L6chaidh,. 

Le  'n  luban,  le  'n  glacan, 

Le  'n  leacain,'  le  'n  comhnaird — 

Le  'n  sruthanan  suibhlach, 

Le  dusluinnean  boidheach, 

'S  an  cluinnear  an  smudan, 

Am  brudhearg,  's  an  smebrach — 

Tha  iadsan  gun  chaochladh 

'S  an  aogasg  a  b'abhaist ; 

Ach  c'ait  'eil  a  chuideachd 

A  chleachd  a  bhi  'tamh  annt'  ? 

Tha  cuid  fo  na  leacan, 

'S  a  chadal  'tha  samhach — 

A'  chuid  is  ro  phailt' 

Air  an  sgapadh  's  gach  aite  1 

C'ait  'eil  a  bhuidheann, 
Bha  mireagach,  luaineach, 
Ag  iasgach  nan  sruthan 
'S  a  tathaich  am  bruachan, 


360  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

A'  cleasachd  gu  h-aotrom 
Feadh  raointean  'us  chluaintean 
Trusadh  chn6  aims  a  choille, 
'S  am  faighte  na  ruadh-bhuic  ! 

Tha  Deisheir  'na  abhaist 
Fo  shailtibh  Beinn-lamhair, 
'S  a  ghrian  air  a'  dearsadh 
O  airde  nam  flaitheas  ; 
Ach  co  'chuireas  failt'  oirr' — 
'Ni  gairdeachas  leatha 
De  'n  chuideachd  a  b'abhaist 
Bhi  'partach  de  'maitheas. 

Tha  smuid  o  thigh  m'  athar 
A'  direadh  mar  'bha  «j 
'Na  cearclaibh  's  na  dualaibh 
Heir  a  dual  'us  a  naduir  ; 
Ach  c'ait  'eil  an  t-athair 
A  dh'  altrum  mi  trathail 
'Us  caomhag  nam  mnathan  ! 
C'ait  'eil  i,  mo  mhathair? 

Chi  mi  'n  tigh-sgoile, 

Gun  mhuthadh,  gun  chaochladh 

Ach  c'ait  'eil  na  fiurain 

A  dhuisgeadh  mo  ghaol  doibh  1 

Tha  'n  sgeap  mar  a  bha  i, 

Ach  c'ait  'eil  an  sgaoth  ud, 

Bha  cnuasachd  na  meala, 

'S  bha  caidireach,  gaolach  ! 

'Us  clii  mi  an  eaglais 

Air  lombar  na  sraide, 

Ach  c'ait  eil  a'  chuideachd 

'Ga  dumhlach'  mar  'b'abhaist  1 

C'ait  am  fear-teagasg 

A  choisinn  mo  ghradh  dha 

'S  e  freagradh  Mhic-talla, 

"  Is  beag  dhiubh  'tha  lathair  !" 

Fo  ghlasaibh  nam  fuar  leac 
'S  an  uaigh  air  an  tasgadh, 
Gus  an  tig  an  la  Luain  sin 
'S  am  fuasglar  a  glasan, 


Perthshire  Gaelic  Songs.  361 

Tha  comumi  mo  ghraidh 
A  bu  bhlath  learn  's  bu  taitneach, 
'S  na  dh'  fhagadh  'n  an  craobhan 
Le  aois  air  an  seacadh. 

•Ou  h-iosal  mu  'm  choinneamh 

'N  am  folach  's  an  dusluinn 

Am  fochair  a  cheile 

Tha  'n  Caisteal*  's  a  chruislinn;         *  Fionnlarig. 

Tha  easan  'na  laraich 

Na  aros  do  'n  eunlaith, 

'S  iv  'm  faicear  ami  lamh  gheal 

'Ni  clarsach  a  dhnsgadh. 

Threig  a  mhais'  e  gu  siorruidh, 
O  'n  thrial  iad  na  h-armuin, 
'Tha  balbh  agus  tosdach 
Na  fhochair  'us  lamh  ris  ; 
Sgal  sionnsair  cha  duisg  iad 
Mur  bu  dugh  'us  a  b'abhaist ; 
Is  cadal  am  feasd  doibh 
Gus  an  tig  la  a  bhrath  orr'. 

Bha  iad  innleachdach,  teoma, 
'Us  gaolach  air  beairteas — 
5Ga  thorradh  ri  cheile 
Le  eucoir  no  ceartas ; 
Ach  faic  mar  a  dh'  eirich, 
An  treine  's  an  tapadh 
Do  'n  aog  b'  eiginu  geilleadh, 
lad  fhein  us  an  gaisgich  ! 

Tha  Cinnealla  nan  leomhan 
'S  Acha-mhor  mar  a  bha  iad, 
Ach  thriall  na  fir  mhora 
Rinn  comhnuidh  'us  tamh  annt', 
Chrion  na  stuic,  shearg  na  fiurain 
Bha  urar  'us  iasor  ; 
Tha  'choill'air  a  riisgadh 
'S  na  fiuthaidh  air  basachd'  ? 

'S  iomadh  mugh  agus  caochladh 
'Chi  'n  aois  nach  bu  mhian  leath , 
Bheir  deoir  o  na  suilean 
'S  a  dhuisgeas  trom  iarguin  ; 


Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness 

Chi  i  choill  'us  an  dusluinn 
'S  a  fiuranan  ciatach, 
Eha  nan  aileagain  runach 
Air  lubadh  's  air  crionadh. 

Chi  i  'n  tigh  air  a  rusgadh 
'S  an  smiiid  air  a  smaladh — 
'Us  tosdachd  'toirt  buaidh 
Far  an  cual  i  ce61  gaire  ; 
Leac-an-teinntein  gun  aiuneal 
'Us  smalan  's  gacli  aite, 
'S  i  fhein  air  a  dochunn 
Le  lot  a  tha  basmhor. 

Mile  soraidh  do  'n  tir 
Learn  cinnteach  bu  taitneach 
'Us  do  Chlaohan  Chill-fhinn 
'S  do  na  glinn  a  tha  'n  taic  ris ! 
Do  bheanntan  cas,  arda, 
Gach  mam  agus  leacain — 
Tir  nam  fear  crodha, 
Bu  bhoidheach  fo  bhreacan  ! 

'Nis  slan  leis  na  sruthain 

Mu  'm  faicte  an  t-iasgair  ! 

'Us  slan  leis  na  mointean 

'S  am  faighte  am  fiadhach  ! 

Slan  leis  na  sleibhtean 

'S  Beinn-leimhinn,  mo  chiad  ghradh 

Slan  le  Braidealbann  ! 

'S  am  b'  ainmeil  siol  Dhiarmaid  ! 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


HONORARY   CHIEFTAINS. 

Sir  Kenneth  S.  Mackenzie  of  Gairloch,  Bait. 

Professor  John  Stuart  Blackie,  Edinburgh  University 

Charles  Fraser-Mackmtosh  of  Drummond,  M.P. 

Colin  Chisholm  Namur  Cottage,  Inverness 

Alexander   Macbain,  M.A.,  F.S.A.  Scot.,  rector,  Raining  School 

Inverness 

William  Mackay,  solicitor,  Inverness 
Alexander  Mackenzie,  editor,  "  Scottish  Highlander,"  Invernesa 

LIFE   MEMBERS. 

Baillie,  James  E.  B.,  of  Dochfour 

Bankes,  P.  Liot,  of  Letterewe 

Brodie,  W.  A.  G.,  15  Rutland  Square,  Edinburgh 

Burgess,  Peter,  factor  for  Glenmoriston,  Drumnadroch.it 

Campbell,  Alasdair,  of  Kilmartin,  Glen-Urquhart 

Chisholm  of  Chisholm,  33  Tavistock  Square,  London 

Ferguson,  R.  C.  Munro,  of  Novar,  M.P. 

Fletcher,  J.  Douglas,  of  Rosehaugh 

Fletcher,  Fitzroy  C.,  Letham  Grange,  Arbroath 

Finlay,  R.  B.,  Q.C.,  Phillemore  Gardens,  London 

Fraser-Mackintosh,  Charles,  of  Drummond,  M.P. 

Fraser,  Donald,  of  Millburn,  Inverness 

Grant,  Ian  Murray,  of  Glenmoriston 

Jackson,  Major  Randle,  of  Swordale,  Evanton 

Lord  Lovat,  Right  Hon.,  Beaufort  Castle,  Beauly 

Macdonald,  Lachlan,  of  Skaebost,  Skye 

Macfarlane,  D.  H.,  46  Portman  Square,  London 

Mackay,  Donald,  Gampola,  Kandy,  Ceylon 

Mackay,  George  F.,  Roxburgh,  Otago,  New  Zealand 

Mackay,  James,  Roxburgh,  Otago,  New  Zealand 

Mackay,  John,  C.E.,  J.P.,  Reay  Villa,  Hereford 

Mackay,  John,  of  Ben  Reay 

Mackenzie,  Sir  Kenneth  S.,  of  Gairloch,  Bart. 

Mackenzie,  Sir  Allan  R.,  of  Kintail,  Bart. 


364  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Mackenzie,  W.  D.,  of  Glen  Kyllachy  and  Farr,  Inverness 

Maclean,  L.,  Castle  Packets,  Cape  Town,  Africa 

Mathe&on,  Sir  Kenneth,  of  Lochalsh,  Bart 

Scobie,  Captain  N.,  late  of  Fearn,  Ross-shire 

Sivewright,  Sir  James,  K.C.M.G.,  Commissioner  of  Crown  Lands, 

Cape  Colony,  Africa 
Yule,  Miss  Amy  Francis,  Tarradale  House,  Ross-shire 

HONORARY  MEMBERS. 

Beith,  Gilbert,  M.P.,  7  Royal  Bank  Place,  Glasgow 

Bell,  Sir  William  J.,  LL.D.,  of  Scatwell,  Muir  of  Ord 

Blair,  Sheriff,  Inverness 

Brown,  J.  A.  Harvie,  Dunipace,  Larbert 

Burgess,  Alexander,  Caledonian  Bauk,jGrairloch 

Cameron,  Ewen,  manager  of  the  Hong  Kong  and  Shanghai  Bank- 
ing Company,  London 

"Cameron,  James  Randal,  Jacksonville,  Oregon 

Cameron,  Sir  Charles,  President  of  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons, 
Dublin 

Campbell,  Duncan,  editor,  "  Northern  Chronicle,"  Inverness 

Campbell,  George  Murray,  Jamaica 

Chisholm,  Captain  A.  Macra,  Glassburn,  Strathglass 

Chisholm,  Duncan,  Colorado  Springs,  U.S.A.  (Ell  Poso  Club) 

€hisholm.  Roderick  Gooden,  33  Tavistock  Square,  London 

Davidson,  Sheriff,  of  Drummond  Park,  Inverness 

Falconer,  Dr  J.,  St  Ann's,  Lasswade,  Midlothian 

Fraser,  Alexander,  ex-Provost,  Tigh-an-eilan,  Dores  Road,  Inverness 

Fraser,  A.  T.  F.,  clothier,  Church  Street,  Inverness 

•Grant,  Brigade-Surgeon  Alex.,  Reay  House,  Inverness 

•Grant,  Hugh,  17  Douglas  Row,  Inverness 

Grant,  Ian  Macpherson,  yr.  of  Ballindalloch 

Grant,  John,  jun.,  Oakbank,  Glen-Urquhart 

•Grant,  Field-Marshal  Sir  Patrick,  G.C.B.,  Chelsea,  London 

'Grant,  Robert,  Colonel,  Beanachan,  Inverness 

Innes,  Charles,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Jolly,  William,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  Pollockshields,  Glasgow 

Lord  Kyllachy,  The  Hon ,  Edinburgh 

Macandrew,  Sir  H.  C.,  sheriff-clerk  of  Inverness-shire 

Macallister,  Bailie  T.  S.,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Alexander,  59  Neven  Square,  London,  S.W. 

Macdonald,  Colonel  Alexander,  Portree 

Macdonald,  Allan,  solicitor,  Inverness 


Members.  365 

Macdonald,  Andrew,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Macdonell,  ^Eneas,  of  Morar,  21  Rutland  Square,  Edinburgh 

Macdougall,   Miss  C.   E.,   Woodburn   House,   Morningside,   Edin- 
burgh 

Macfarlane,  Alex.,  George  Hotel,  Nottingham 

Mackenzie,  P.  A.  C.,  Rio  de  Janeiro 

Mackenzie,    Mackay  D.,    National  Provincial   Bank  of    England, 
Clifton,  Bristol 

Mackintosh  of  Mackintosh,  Moyhall 

Mackintosh,    A.    Mackintosh,   36  St  James    Street,  Buckingham 
Gate,  London 

Mackintosh,  A.  R.,  Balmoral  House,  Nairn 

Mackintosh,  Angus,  of  Holme,  Palace  Chambers,  9  Bridge  Street 
Westminster 

Mackintosh,  Eneas  W.,  of  Raigmore 

Mackintosh,  P.  A.,  C.E.,  Bury,  Lancashire 

Macleod,  Rev.  Dr  Norman,  Ravenswood,  Inverness 

Macleod,  Reginald,  Woodhall,  Juniper  Green,  Edinburgh 

Macmillan,  E.  H.,  manager  of  the  Caledonian  Bank,  Inverness 

Macpherson,  Colonel  Ewen,  of  Cluny 

Macpherson,  Charles  J.  B.,  of  Bellville,  Kingussie 

Macpherson,  George,  8  Walnut  Street,  Philadelphia,  U.S.A. 

Macpherson,  Colonel,  of  Glentruim,  Kingu-sie 

Robertson,  John  L.,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  Inverness 

Scott,  Roderick,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Sinclair,  George,  Caledonian  Hotel,  Inverness 

Smith,  J.  M.,  Woodlands,  Inverness 

Stewart,  Lieut.-Col.   Charles,    C.B.,    C.M.G.,    C.I.E.,    51    Redcliff 
Square,  South  Kensington,  S.W. 

Stewart,  C.  D.,  of  Brin,  Inverness 

Watson,  Rev.  D.,  D.D.,  Beaverton,  Ontario,  Canada 

ORDINARY   MEMBERS. 

Aitken,  Hugh,  Broom  Knowe,  Carmyle  Avenue,  Tolcross,  Glasgow 

Atkin,  Percy  H.,  barrister-at-law,  The  Temple,  London 

Bannerman,  Hugh,  275  Lord  Street,  Southport 

Barren,  James,  editor,  "  Inverness  Courier,"  Inverness 

Baxter,  Frederick,  seedsman,  Inverness 

Beaton,  Angus  J.,  C.E.,  Bank  Villas,  Marsden,  Huddersfield 

Bentinck,  Rev.  Chas.  D.,  E.C.  Manse,  Kirkhill,  Inverness 

Birkbeck,  Robert,  20  Berkeley  Square,  London 

Bisset,  Rev.  Alexander,  R.C.,  Nairn 


366  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Black,  F.  A.,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Black,  John,  Palace  Hotel,  Inverness 

Boyd,  Thomas,  bookseller,  Oban 

Boyne,  Thomas,  Courier  Office,  Inverness 

Brodie,  J.  P.,  Glen-Albyn  Hotel,  Inverness 

Buchanan,  F.  C.,  Clarinnish,  Row,  Helensburgh 

'Cameron,  Rev.  Allan,  Free  East  Church,  Inverness 

Cameron,  A.  H.  F.,  Greenfield,  Bath  Road,  Worcester 

Cameron,  Rev.  Angus,  St  John's  Rectory,  Arpafeelie 

Cameron,  Colin,  ironmonger,  High  Street,  Inverness 

•Cameron,  Donald,  of  Lochiel,  Achnacarry  House,  Fort- William 

Cameron,  D.  M.,  wholesale  grocer,  Dempster  Gardens 

Cameron,  D.,  teacher,  Blarour,  Spean-Bridge,  Kingussie 

Cameron,  Dr,  Nairn 

Cameron,  Ewen,  writer,  16  St  Andrew'^Square,  Edinburgh 

Cameron,  John,  S.S.C.,  40  Castle  Street,  Edinburgh 

Cameron,  John,  bookseller,  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Cameron,  Kenneth,  factor,  Ullapool 

Cameron,  Miss  M.  E.,  of  Innseagan,  Fort- William 

Cameron,  Neil  M.,  of  D.  Cameron  &  Co.,  grocers,  Church  Street, 

Inverness 

Cameron,  Paul,  Blair-Athole 
Cameron,  Rev.  Alex.,  Sleat,  Skye 
Cameron,  Rev.  John,  R.C.,  Beauly 
Cameron,  Rev.  William,  minister  of  Poolewe 
Campbell,  Fraser  (of  Fraser  &  Campbell),  High  Street,  Inverness 
Campbell,  Sheriff,  Stornoway 

'Campbell,  James,  builder,  Ardross  Place,  Inverness 
Campbell,  James  Lennox,  5  Victoria  Place,  Broughty  Ferry 
Campbell,  The  Rev.  John,  Kilmore  Manse,  Glen-Urquhart 
Campbell,  John  M.,  solicitor,  Oban 
Campbell,  Paul,  shoemaker,  Castle  Street,  Inverness 
Campbell,  T.  D.  (of  Gumming  &  Campbell),  Inverness 
Carmichael,  Alexander,  29  Raeburn  Place,  Edinburgh 
•Cesari,  E.,  Station  Hotel,  Inverness 
Chisholm.  Rev.  Alexander,  R.C.,  Dornie,  Kintail 
Chisholm,  C.  C.,  65  Kilbowie  Road,  Clydebank,  Dumbarton 
Chisholm,  D.  H.,  wine  merchant,  Castle  Street,  Inverness 
Chisholm,  Archibald,  P.F.,  Lochmaddy 
Chisholm,  Colin,  Namur  Cottage,  Inverness 
Clark,  David  K.,  reporter,  Charles  Street,  Inverness 
Cock  burn,  Thomas,  Royal  Academy,  Inverness 
•Cook,  James,  commission  agent,  Inverness 


Members.  367 

Cook,  John,  commission  agent,  21  Southside  Road,  Inverness 

Cran,  John,  Kirkton,  Bimchrew 

Crerar,  Alexander,  merchant,  Kingussie 

Crerar,  Duncan  Macgregor,  93  Nasseu  Street,  New  York 

Oruickshanks,  Dr,  Nairn 

Davidson,  Andrew,  sculptor,  Inverness 

Davidson,  D.,  Waverley  Hotel,  Inverness 

Dewar,  Daniel,  Beaufort 

Dewar,  John,  M.B.,  C.M.,  Portree 

Dey,  Robert,  M.A.,  Berryhill  Public  School,  Wishaw 

Dick,  Mrs,  Greenhill,  Lower  Drummond 

Donaldson,  Simon  F.,  librarian,  Free  Library,  Inverness 

Ferguson,  Charles,  The  Gardens,  Fairburn,  Muir  of  Orel 

Ferguson,  D.  H.,  pipe-major,  I.H.R.V.,  Inverness 

Finlayson,  Dr,  Munlochy 

Fiiilayson,  John,  rector,  Farraline  Park  Institution,  Inverness 

Finlayson,  John,  commercial  traveller,  Hillside  Villa,  Inverness 

Forbes,  Duncan,  of  Cullodeii 

Forsyth,  Dr,  Abernethy 

Forsyth,  John  H.,  wine  merchant,  Inverness 

Fraser,  Alexander,  clerk,  High  Street,  Inverness 

Fraser,  ^Eneas  (Innes  &  Mackay),  Inverness 

Fraser,  Alex.,  draper,  15  Church  Street 

Fraser,  Alexander,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Fraser,  Alexander,  37  Dumbarton  Road,  Glasgow 

Fraser,  Alexander,  grocer,  Tomnahurich  Street,  Inverness 

Fraser,  Alexander,  city  editor,  Toronto  Mail,  Toronto 

Fraser,  A.  R.,  South  Africa 

Fraser,  Miss  Catherine,  42  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Fraser,  D.  Munro,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  Glasgow 

Fraser,  Donald  F.,  4  Elphinston  Place,  Glasgow 

Fraser,  Hugh,  Arrnadale  Cottage,  Greig  Street,  Inverness 

Fraser,  Hugh,  Foyers  Cottage,  Attadale  Road,  Inverness 

Fraser,  Dr  Hugh  E.,  Northern  Infirmary,  Inverness 

Fraser,  James,  C.E.,  Inverness 

Fraser,  James,  Mauld,  Strathglass 

Fraser,  John,  draper,  80  High  Street,  Nairn 

Fraser,  Roderick,  contractor,  Argyle  Street,  Inverness 

Fraser,  William,  School  Board  officer,  Upper  Kessock  Street 

Galloway,  George,  chemist,  Inverness 

Gauld,  S.  W.  C.,  banker,  Balmacara 

Gillanders,  K.  A.,  grocer,  Queensgate,  Inverness 

Gillanders,  John,  teacher,  Denny 


•**68  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Gillies,  Norman,  governor,  Poorhouse,  Lochmaddy 

Gillies,  William,  16  Mountgrove  Road,  Highbury,  London,  W. 

Glass,  C.  C.,  122  North  Street,  St  Andrews 

Gow,    James  Mackintosh,    F.S.A.    Scot.,    Union    Bank,    Hunter's. 

Square,  Edinburgh 

Grant,  George  Macpherson,  The  Castle,  Ballindalloch 
Grant,  Rev.  J.,  E.G.  Manse,  Kilmuir,  Skye 
Grant,  James,  commercial  traveller,  Arthur  <fc  Co.,  Glasgow 
Grant,  Dr  Ogilvie,  Inverness 
Grant,  Rev.  Donald,  Domoch 
Grant,    J.    B.,    factor    and   commissioner    for   Mrs    Chisholm   of 

Chisholm,  Erchless 
Grant,  F.  W.,  Mary  hill,  Inverness 
Grant,  William,  Secretary,  Sun  Fire  Office,  Manchester 
Gray,  James,  slater,  Inverness 
Gray,  John,  T.,  Rosehaugh  House,  Forffose 
Gunn,  Rev.  Adam,  Durness,  Lairg. 
Gunn,  John,  F.R.P.S.,  F.R.S.G.S.,  The  Geographical  Institute,  Park 

Road,  Edinburgh 

Henderson,  John,  factor  for  Rosehaugh,  Fortrose 
Holmes,  T.,  15  New  Alma  Road,  Ports  wood,  Southampton 
Holt,  John  B.,  Abbey  School,  Fort-Augustus 
Hood,  John,  secretary  English  and   Scottish  Law  Life  Association,. 

Edinburgh 

Hood,  Thomas,  chemist,  11  Broad  Street,  Bristol 
Home,  John,  Victoria  Terrace,  Inverness 
Horrigan,  J.  E.,  collector  of  Inland  Revenue,  Inverness 
Jerram,  C.  S.,  Preyot  House,  Petworth 
Keeble,  T.,  of  Morel  Bros., -Church  Street,  Inverness 
Kemp,  D.  William,  Ivy,  Lodge,  Trinity,  Edinburgh 
Kenard,  Cecil,  Sconser  Lodge,  Skye 
Kennedy,  Ewen,  Newtonmore,  Kingussie 
Kennedy,  Rev.  John,  Caticol  Manse,  Lochranza,  Arran 
Kerr,  Dr,  Inverness 

Kerr,  Rev.  Cathel,  Strathpeffer,  by  Dingwall 
Kerr,  Thomas,  agent,  North  of  Scotland  Bank,  Inverness 
Lawrence,  William,  Swordale,  Evan  ton 
Lindsay,  W.  M.,  Jesus  College,  Oxford 
Livingston,  Colin,  Fort- William 
Logan,  Donald,  Public  School,  Broadford 
Logan,  James,  Music  Saloon,  Church  Street,  Inverness 
Lumsden,  Miss  Louisa  Innes,  Glenbogie,  Rhynie,  Aberdeenshira 
Macaulay,  A.  N.,  Cumberland  Street,  Edinburgh 


Members.  369 

Macbain,  Alexander,  M.A.,  F.S.A.  Scot.,  rector,  Raining's  School, 
Inverness 

Macbean,  William,  ex-Bailie,  35  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Macbean,  George,  writer,  Queensgate,  Inverness 

Macbean,  James,  jeweller,  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Macbean,  Lachlan,  editor,  "Fifeshire  Advertiser,"  Kirkcaldy 

Macbeth,  R.  J.,  architect,  Queensgate,  Inverness 

Maccallum,  Henry  V.,  solicitor,  Queensgate,  Inverness 

Maccallum,  John,  builder,  Fort-William 

Maccowan,  Rev.  J.,  Cromdale 

Macdonald,  Professor  A.  G.,  Truro,  Nova  Scotia 

Macdonald,  Alex.,  Audit  Office,  Highland  Railway,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Alex.,  Station  Hotel,  Forres 

Macdonald,  Alexander,  62  Tomnahurich  Street,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Rev.  Alex.,  Killearnan,  North  Kessock 

Macdonald,  Rev.  Allan,  R.C.,  Dalibrog,  North  Uist 

Macdonald,  Charles,  Knocknageal,  by  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Rev.  Charles,  Mingarry,  Loch  Shiel,  Salen 

Macdonald,  David,  St  Andrew's  Street,  Aberdeen 

Macdonald,  D.,  Inland  Revenue  officer,  Viewforth  House,  Cellar- 
dyke,  Fifeshire 

Macdonald,  Dr  D.,  Glen-Urquhart 

Macdonald,  Dr  G.  G.,  26  King  Street,  Aberdeen 

Macdonald,  Councillor  Donald,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Ewen,  Badchro,  Gairloch 

Macdonald,  Hugh,  20  Chapel  Street,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Hugh,  Audit  Office,  Highland  Railway,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  James,  builder  contractor,  Kingussie 

Macdonald,  James,  hotel-keeper,  Fort- William 

Macdonald,  John,  banker,  Buckie 

Macdonald,  Thomas,  builder,  Hilton,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  Donald,  flesher,  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  D.  C.,  solicitor,  Aberdeen 

Macdonald,  Rev.  James,  M.A.,  B.D.,  F.C.,  Manse,  Dornoch 

Macdonald,    John,    collector,    Inland   Revenue,    Somerset    House, 
London 

Macdonald,  John,  wholesale  merchant,  Castle  Street,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  John,  chief  constable,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  John,  Loch  Ericht  Hotel,  Dalvvhinnie 

Macdonaid,  Kenneth,  town-clerk,  Inverness 

Macdonald,  L.,  C.  and  M.  engineer,  Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  U.S.A. 

Macdonald,  T.  D.,  sub-manager,  National  Liberal  Club,  London 

Macdonald,  William,  sheriff-clerk-deptite,  Inverness 

24 


370  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Macdonald,  William,  contractor,  George  Street,  Inverness 

Macdougall,  Rev.  R.,  Resolis  Invergordon 

Macfarlane,  Peter,  chemist,  Fort-William 

Macgillivray,  Finlay,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Macgregor,  Alexander,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Macgregor,  John,  Duncraig  Villa,  Fail-field  Road,  Inverness 

Macgregor,  Peter,  M.A.,  Ballachulish 

Machardy,  Alex.,  chief  constable,  The  Castle,  Inverness 

Machines,  Malcolm,  Raining's  School,  Inverness 

Macintyre  Malcolm,  Fort-William 

Macintyre,  P.  B.,  Commissioner,  Crofters'  Commission 

Macintyre,  Peter,  6  Parliament  Square,  Edinburgh 

Macintosh,  Rev.  John,  Free  Church  Manse,  Fort-William. 

Maciver,  Duncan,  Church  Street,  Inverness 

Mackay,  ^Eneas,  bookseller,  Stirling      ^ 

Mackay,  Charles,  contractor,  Dempster  Gardens,  Inverness 

Mackay,  Donald,  Braemore,  Dunbeath 

Mackay,  Francis  D.,  Bank  of  British  Columbia,  London 

Mackay,  Thomas,  40  Henderson  Row,  Edinburgh 

Mackay,  Rev.  Thomson,  B.D.,  Strath,  Skye 

Mackay,  William,  solicitor,  Queensgate,  Inverness 

Mackay,  William,  bookseller,  High  Street,  Inverness 

Mackay,  William,  contractor,  Dempster  Gardens,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  Mrs,  Silverwells,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  Alexander,  editor,  *"  Scottish  Highlander,"  Inverness. 

Mackenzie,  ex-Bailie  Alexander,  Silverwells,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  A.  C.,  teacher,  Maryburgh,  Dingwall 

Mackenzie,  Andrew,  ironmonger,  Alness 

Mackenzie,  Colin  C.,  F.C.  Manse,  Fasnakyle 

Mackenzie,  Evan  N.  B.,  yr.  of  Kilcoy 

Mackenzie,  Dr  F.  M.,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  Hector  Rose,  solicitor,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  John,  grocer,  I  Greig  Street,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  John,  agent,  Commercial  Bank,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  John,  gamedealer,  £c.,  Union  Street,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  John,  jun.,  Dunvegan,  Portree 

Mackenzie,  Murdo,  Inland  Revenue,  Ben-View,  Conon-Bridge 

Mackenzie,  M.  T.,  M.B.  £  C.M.,  Scalpaig,  Lochmaddy 

Mackenzie,  N.  B.,  banker,  Fort- William 

Mackenzie,  W.,  manager,  Moyhall 

Macintosh,  Rev.  John,  Free  Church  Manse,  Fort- William 

Mackenzie,  William,  secretary,  Crofters'  Commission 

Mackenzie,  William,  clothier,  Bridge  Street,  Inverness 

Mackenzie,  Dr  D.  J.,  M.A.,  Silverwells,  Inverness 


Members.  371 

Mackhmon,  Alexander  D.,  solicitor,  Portree 

Mackinnon,  Hector,  British  Linen  Co.  Bank,  Inverness 

Mackintosh,  Andrew,  H.M.  Customs,  Leith 

Mackintosh,  ^Eneas,  The  Doune,  Daviot 

Mackintosh,  Duncan,  Bank  of  Scotland,  Inverness 

Mackintosh,  Hugh,  ironmonger,  Inverness 

Mackintosh,  Neil,  yr.,  of  Raigmore 

Mackintosh,  Rev.  A.,  Chapel  House,  Fort-William 

Mackintosh,  Lachlan,  merchant,  Kingussie 

Mackintosh,  R.  L.,  wine  merchant,  Bridge  Street,  Inverness 

Mackintosh,  William,  Druminuir  Estate  Office,  Keith 

Maclachlau,  Dugald,  Caledonian  Bank,  Portree 

Maclachlaii,  Duncan,  Public  Library,  Edinburgh 

Maclean,  Rev.  D.,  Duirinish,  Portree 

Maclean,  Peter,  solicitor,  Lochmaddy 

Maclean.  Peter,  merchant,  Dun  vegan 

Macleay,  William,  birdstuffer,  Church  Street,  Inverness 

Macleish,  D.,  banker,  Fort- William 

Maclennan,  Alex.,  flesher,  New  Market,  Inverness 

Maclennan,  John,  Estate  Office,  Stornoway 

Maclennan,  John,  Bilbster  Public  School,  Wick 

Maclennan,  Dr  John,  Milton,  Glen-Urquhart 

Maclennan,  Rev.  D.  S.,  Laggan,  Kingussie 

Macleod,  D.,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  Inverness 

Macleod,  G.  G.,  teacher,  Gledfield  Public  School,  Ardgay 

Macleod,  Henry  Dunning,  Oxford  and  Cambridge  Club,  London 

Macleod,  John,  Public  School,  Drumsmittal,  North  Kessock 

Macleod,  Murdo,  37  Chamber  Street,  Edinburgh 

Macleod,   Neil,    22   Viewforth  Gardens,   Edinburgh,   Bard   to  the 

Society 

Macmichael,  the  Rev.  Duncan,  Duncansburgh,  Fort-William 
Macnee,  James,  M.D.,  Inverness 
Macnish,  Rev.  Dr.  Cornwall,  Ontario,  Canada 
Macphail,  Alex.,  Forbes  Field,  Great  Western  Road,  Aberdeen 
Macphail,  I.  R.  N,,  advocate,  Edinburgh 

Macphail,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Free  Church  Manse,  Griminish,  Benbecula 
Macpherson,  Alex.,  solicitor,  Kingussie 
Macpherson,  Alexander,  1  Laurieston  Terrace,  Edinburgh 
Macpherson,  Campbell,  Bandon  Co.,  Cork,  Ireland 
Macpherson,    Captain,    J.    F.,   Caledonian    United    Service    Club, 

Edinburgh 

Macpherson,  Duncan,  steamboat  agent,  Union  Street,  Inverness 
Macpherson,  Duncan,  Inverguseran,  Knoydart 


372  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Macpherson,  George,  Scottish  Widows'  Fund,  St  Andrew's  Square, 

Edinburgh 

Macpherson,  John,  The  Hotel,  Ullapool 
Macpherson,  Alex.,  grocer,  Tnglis  Street,  Inverness 
Macqueen,  Rev.  John,  Chapel  House,  Inverness 
Macqueen,  William,  Baron  Taylor's  Lane,  Inverness 
Macrae,  Rev.  Farquhar,  M.A.,  E.G.  Manse,  Invergarry 
Macrae,  Rev.  A.,  Free  Church  Manse,  Clachan,  Kintyre 
Macrae,  R.,  postmaster,  Beauly 
Macrae,  John,  solicitor,  Dingwall 
Macrae,  John,  M.D.,  Craigville,  Laggan,  Kingussie 
Macrae,  Kenneth,  Dayville,  Grant  County,  Oregon 
Macritchie,  A.  J.,  solicitor,  Inverness 
Macrury,  Rev.  John,  Snizort,  Skye 

Mactavish,  Alexander,  Ironmonger,  Castie  Street,  Inverness 
Mactavish,  Duncan,  High  Street,  Inverness 
Mactavish,  P.  D.,  solicitor,  Inverness 
Macvean,  C.  S.,  Kilfinichen  House,  Pennyghael,  Mull 
Masson,  Rev.  Donald,  M.D.,  57  Albany  Place,  Edinburgh 
Matheson,  Dr  Farquhar,  Soho  Square,  London 
Matheson,  Gilbert,  draper,  Inverness 
Matheson,  R.  F.,  factor,  Tarbert,  by  Portree 
Maxwell,  Thomas  Edward  Hall,  of  Dargavel,  Dunolly,  Inverness 
Medlock,  Arthur,  Bridge  Street,  Inverness 
Menzies,  Duncan,  farmer,  Blairich,  Rogart 
Miller,  E.  T.,  Fort-William 
Miller,  Dr,  Belford  Hospital,  Fort-William 
Mitchell,  Captain,  Georgefield,  Uddingston,  Glasgow 
Mitchell,  William,  draper,  Fort- William 
Moir,  Dr,  High  Street,  Inverness 
Morgan,  Arthur,  6  Parliament  Square,  Edinburgh. 
Morrison,  Hew,  Free  Library,  Edinburgh 
Morrison,  John  M.,  Stornoway 

Mortimer,  John,  344  Great  Western  Road,  Aberdeen 
Munro,  Rev.  Robert,  B.D.,  Old  Kilpatrick,  near  Glasgow 
Munro,  William,  bookseller,  Petty  Street,  Inverness 
Murdoch,  John,  Horton  Cottage,  Uddingstone 
Murray,  Francis,  The  Lodge,  Portree 
Murray,  James,  M.D.,  Inverness 
Nairne,  David,  sub-editor,  "  Northern  Chronicle  " 
Nicolson,  Donald,  Primrose  Cottage,  Uig,  Portree 
Neil,  R.  A.,  Fellow  of  Pembroke  College,  Cambridge 
Noble,  John,  bookseller,  Castle  Street,  Inverness 


Members.  373 

O'Hara,    Thomas,    Inspector  of   National  Schools,    Portarlington 

Ireland 

O'Growney,  Professor  Eugene,  Maynooth  College,  Ireland 
Poison,  A",  Public  School,  Dunbeath 
Ritchie,  Rev.  R.  L.,  Creich,  Sutherlandshire 
Robertson,  Rev.  Duncan,  The  Manse,  Tarbert,  Lochfyne 
Robertson,  John,  Tartan  Warehouse,  Fort-William 
Robertson,  Ossian,  banker,  Stornoway 
Robson,  A.  Mackay,  Constitution  Street,  Leith 
Roddie,  W.  S.,  music  teacher,  Southside  Road,  Inverness 
Ross,  A.  M.,  editor,  "  The  North  Star,"  Dingwall 
Ross,  Provost  Alex.,  Inverness 
Ross,  Hugh,  V.S.,  Union  Road,  Inverness 
Ross,  James,  solicitor,  Inverness 
Ross,  James,  hotelkeeper,  Broadford,  Skye 
Ross,  John,  procurator-fiscal,  Stornoway 
Ross,  Bailie  Jonathan,  Inverness 
Sharp,  D.,  81  Scott  Street,  Garnethill,  Glasgow 
Shaw,  James  T.,  Gordonbush,  Brora 

Shirres,  George  Buchan,  Fellow  of  Trinity  Hall,  Cambriige 
Simpson,  George  B.,  Broughty-Ferry 

Sinclair,  Rev.  A.  Maclean,  Belfast,  Prince  Edward's  Island 
Sinclair,  Rev.  Colin,  Kirkhill 
Sinton,  Rev.  Thomas,  Dores,  Inverness 
Skene,  Lawrence,  Portrec 
Smart,  P.  H.,  drawing-master,  Inverness 
Spalding,  William  C.   Adampore,  South  Syltet,  India 
Steele,  A.  F.,  agent,  Bank  of  Scotland,  Inverness 
Stewart,  Colin  J.,  Dingwall 
Stewart,  A.  J.,  grocer,  Union  Street 
Strachan,  Professor,  Marple,  Cheshire 
Strachan,  R.  R.,  H.M.  Inspector  of  Schools,  Inverness 
Strickland,  Robert,  Clutha  Cottage,  Kenneth  Street 
Stuart,  ex-Bailie  W.  G.,  Inverness 
Sutherland,  George  Miller,  solicitor,  Wick 
Sutherland,  The  Rev.  George,  Beauly 
Sutherland,  Hector,  town-clerk,  Wick 
Sutherland,  John,  rector,  Andersonian  Institution,  Forres 
Swan,  Cameron  Lauriston,  Bromley,  Kent 

Thompson,  Colin,  American  Exchange  Bank,  Duluth,  Minn.,  U.S.A. 
Thomson,  Hugh,  stockbroker,  Inverness 
Thomson,  Rev.  R.  W.,  Fodderty,  Strathpeffer 
Urquhart,  Donald,  Public  School,  Staffin,  Portree 


374  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

Urquhart,  Robert,  jun.,  solicitor,  Forres 

Wallace,  Thomas,  rector,  High  School,  Inverness 

Warren,  John,  accountant,  British  Linen  Co.  Bank,  Kingussie 

Whyte,  David,  photographer,  Church  Street,  Inverness 

Whyte,  Duncan,  live-stock  agent,  226  Duke  Street,  Glasgow 

Whyte,  John,  "  Leader"  Office,  Edinburgh 

Wilson,  George,  S.S.C.,  20  Young  Street,  Edinburgh 

DECEASED  MEMBERS. 

Gunn,  William,  draper,  Inverness 

Jamieson,  Walter,  Glenarm  Co.,  Ireland 

Mackenzie,  John,  Spylair  Road,  Edinburgh 

Moir,  Dr  F.  M.,  Aberdeen 

Nicolson,  Alex.,  M.A.,  LL.D.,  Sheriff-Substitute  of  Greenock 

T\yeedmouth,  The  Right  Hon.  Lord,  Gtiisachan,  Inverness-shire 


LIST  OF  BOOKS 


IN 


THE    SOCIETY'S   LIBRARY. 


NAMES   OF   BOOKS. 

Ossian's     Poems     (H.    Society's     edition, ) 
Gaelic  and  Latin),  3  vols.  .         .  j 

Smith's  Gaelic  Antiquities 

Smith's  Seann  Dana         .... 

Highland    Society's    Report   011    Ossian's 
Poems      ...... 

Stewart's  Sketches  of  the  Highlands,  2  vols 

Skene's  Picts  and  Scots    .... 

Dain  Osiein  Mhic  Fhinn  . 

Macleod's  Oran  Nuadh  Gaelach 

An  Teachdaire  Gaelach,  1829-30 

Oarew's  Ecclesiastical  History  of  Ireland  . 

Orain  Ghilleasbuig  Ghrannd,  two  copies    . 

Council's  Reul-eolas          .... 

Maclauchlan's  Celtic  Gleanings 

Maclauchlan's  Early  Scottish  Church 

The  Dean  of  Lismore's  Book     . 

Macleod  and  Dewar's  Gaelic  Dictionary    . 

Highland  Society's  do.,  2  vols. 

Ritson's  Caledonians,  Picts  and  Scots 
Dr  Walker's  Hebrides,  2  vols   . 
•Campbell's  Language,  Poetry,  and  Music 

of  the  Highland  Clans 
Macnicol's  Remarks  on  Dr  Johnston's  Tour 

in  the  Hebrides         .... 
Somers'  Letters  from  the  Highlands 


DONOR. 

Colonel    Mackenzie 
of  Parkmount 
ditto 
ditto 

ditto 
ditto 

ditto 
ditto 
ditto 

Mr  W.  Mackay 
Mr  Charles  Mackay 

ditto 

Rev.  Dr  Maclauchlan 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 

Sir  Ken.  S.  Mackenzie 
of  Gairloch,  Bart, 
ditto 
ditto 

Mr  John  Murdoch 

ditto 
ditto 


376  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness, 

NAMES  OF  BOOKS.  DONOU. 

Cameron's  Chemistry  of  Agriculture  .  Mr  John  Murdoch 
Sketches  of  Islay  .....  ditto 
Cameron's  History  of  Skye  .  .  .  ditto 
Kennedy's  Bardic  Stories  of  Ireland  .  ditto 
Micky's  Agricultural  Class  Book  .  .  ditto 
Orain  Ghaelach  Mhic  Dhunlcibhe  .  .  ditto 
The  Wolf  of  Badenoch  ....  ditto 
Familiar  Illustrations  of  Scottish  Life  .  ditto 
Antiquity  of  the  Gaelic  Language  .  .  ditto 
The  Dauntless  Red  Hugh  of  Tyrconnell  .  ditto 
The  Kilchomaii  People  Vindicated  .  .  ditto 
Caraid  a'  Ghaidheil — Sermon  .  .  .  ditto 
Highland  Clearances  the  Cause  of  High- 
land Famines  .  ^  ditto 
Co-operative  Associations  .  .  ditto 
Lecture  .....  ditto 
Review  of  "  Eight  Days  in  Islay  "  .  ditto 
Gold  Diggings  in  Sutherland  .  ditto 
Review  of  Language  of  Ireland  .  ditto 
Highland  Character  .  .  dittc 
An  Teachdaire  Gaelach,  1829-30  .  .  ditto 
The  Scottish  Regalia  ....  ditto 
Campbell's  West  Highland  Talcs,  4  vols  .  Mr  Alex.  Mackenzie 
Bliadhna  Thearlaich  ....  ditto 
Macfarlane's  Collection  of  Gaelic  Poems  .  Miss  Hood 
Old  Gaelic  Bible  (partly  MSS.)  .  .  J.  Mackenzie,  M.D., 

of  Eileanach 

MacHale's,  Archbishop,  Irish  Pentateuch .  Canon  Bourke 

Irish  Translation  of  Moore's  Melodies        .  ditto 
The  Bull   "  Ineffabilis "    (Latin,    English, 

Gaelic,  and  French)  ....  ditto 

Celtic  Language  and  Dialects  .          .         .  ditto 

Bourke's  Irish  Grammer  .         .         .         .  ditto 

Bourke's  Easy  Lessons  in  Irish          .         .  ditto 

Mackenzie's  Beauties  of  Gaelic  Poetry       .  Rev.    W.   Ross,    Glas- 
gow 

Mac-Crimmon's  Piobaireachd    .         .         .  Rev.  A.  Macgregor 

Stratton's  Gaelic  Origin  of  Greek  and  Latin  ditto 
( Jaelic  Translation  of  Apocrypha  (by  Rev. 

A.  Macgregor)           ....  ditto 

Buchanan's  Historia  Scotise      .         .         .  Mr  William  Mackay 

The  Game  Laws,  by  R.  G.  Tolmie     .         .  ditto 


Library. 


377 


NAMES   OF   BOOKS. 

St  James's  Magazine,  vol.  i.      . 
Fingal  (edition  1762) 

Collection  of  English  Poems  (2  vols.) 
Philologic  Uses  of  the  Celtic  Tongue 
Scoto-Celtic  Philology 

Dana  Oisein  (Maclauchlan's  edition). 

Munro's  Gaelic  Primer      .         .         . 

M 'Alpine's  Gaelic  Dictionary    . 

M'Pherson's  Duanaire       .... 

Munro'.s  Gaelic  Grammar 

Grain  Mhic-an-t-Saoir       . 

Grain  Uilleim  Ross  , 

Ceithir  Searmoinean,  le  Dr  Dewar    . 

Carsewell's  Prayer  Book  (Gaelic) 

Scots'  Magazine  (1757)     .... 

History  of  the  Rebellion,  1745-46     . 

Welsh  Bible 

Gld  Gaelic  New  Testament 
Adhamh  agus  Eubh  (Adam  and  Eve) 

-  Gld  Gaelic  Bible 

Grain  Ailein  Dughallaich 
Macpherson's  Poem's  of  Gssian 
An  Gaidheal  for  1873       . 
Grain,  cruinnichte  le  Mac-an-Tuainear 

The  Gospels,  in  eight  Celtic  dialects 
Eraser  of  Knockie's  Highland  Music 

The  Clan  Battle  at   Perth,  by  Mr  A.  M. 

Shaw 

The  Scottish  Metrical  Psalms  . 

Sailm  Dhaibhidh  Ameadreachd  (Ed.  1659) 

Biographical      Dictionary     of      Eminent 

Scotsmen  (9  vols.)    . 
Grain  Ghilleasbuig  Grannd 
Clarsach  nan  Beann          .         .         ... 
Fulangas  Chriost     .         '..        .         / .  '     • 
Dain  Spioradail        .         ...       .         . 


DONOR. 

Mr     Mackay,     book- 
seller, Inverness 
C.  Eraser-Mackintosh, 

Esq.,  M.P. 
Mr  D.  Mackintosh 
Mr  D.  Maciver 
Lord  Neaves,   liL.D.\ 

F.R.S.E. 

Maclachlan  &  Stewart 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 

Purchased 
Mr  A.  Macbean 
Mr  D.  Mackintosh 
Mr  L.  Mackintosh 
Mr  L.  Macbeau 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 
ditto 

The  Publishers 
Mr     A.     Mackintosh 

Shaw,  London 
Mr  J.    Mackay,  J.P.^ 

Hereford 

Mr   Mackenzie,   Bank 
Lane,  Inverness 

The  Author 

Mr  J.  Fraser,  Glasgow 

^Mr    A.    R.    Macraild, 

Inverness 

Mr  J.  Craigie,  Dundee 
ditto, 
ditto, 
ditto. 


378  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

NAMES   OF   BOOKS.  DONOR. 

Spiritual  Songs  (Gaelic  and  English)         .  Mr  J.  Craigie,  Dundee 

Alexander  Macdonald's  Gaelic  Poems         .  ditto 

Grain  Mhic-an-t-Saoir        ....  ditto 

Leabhar  nan  Ceist    .         .         .                   .  ditto 

Co-eigneachadh  Soisgeulach  (Boston)         .  ditto 

History  of  the  Druids  (Toland's)       .         .  ditto 

Melodies  from  the  Gaelic ....  ditto 

Maclean's  History  of  the  Celtic  Language.  ditto 

Leabhar  Sailm ditto 

Origin  and  descent  of  the  Gael          .         .  ditto 

Stewart's  Gaelic  Grammar        .         .         .  ditto 
Macpherson's       Caledonian       Antiquities 

(1798) ditto 

Biboul  Noimbh  (London,  1855)         .    ^  .  ditto 

Searmona  Mhic-Dhiarmaid        .         .         .  ditto 

Dain  Oisein     ......  ditto 

Fingal  (1798) ditto 

Life  of  Columba  (1798)    ....  ditto 

Grain  Roib  Dhuinn  Mhic-Aoidh        .         .  ditto 

Dain  leis  an  Urr.  I.  Lees           .         .         .  ditto 

Searmons  leis  an  Urr.  E.  Blarach      .         .  ditto 
Eaglais  na  h-Alba,  leis  an  Urr  A.  Clare, 

Inbhirnis          .....  ditto 

Bourke's  Aryan  Origin  of  the  Gaelic  Race  Mr  J.  Mackay,  Here- 
ford 

Reid's  Bibliotheca  Scoto-Celtica         .         .  ditto 

Munro's  Gaelic  Primer  (3  copies  in  library)  Purchased 
Eachdraidh  ria  h-Alba,  le  A.  MacCoinnich 

(3  copies)          .....  The  Author. 

Dain  Ghailig  leis  an  Urr.  I.  Lees      .         .  Rev.  Dr  Lees,  Paisley 
Philologic  Uses  of  the  Celtic  Tongue,  by 

Professor  Geddes  (1872)   .         .         .  The  Author 

Philologic  Uses  of  the  Celtic  Tongue  (1873)  ditto 

Poems  by  Ossian,  in  metre  (1796)    .         .  Mr    Alex.    Kennedy, 

Bohuntin 
Proceedings  of  the  Historical  and  Archseo- 

logical       Association       of       Ireland 

(1870-86)         .....  The  Society 

Shaw's  Gaelic  Dictionary  (1780)       .         .  Rev.  A.  Macgregor. 

History  of  the  Culdees,  Maccallum's.         .  ditto 

Macdiarmid's  Gaelic  Sermons  (MS.  1773).  ditto 

"Gaelic  Grammar,  Irish  character  (1808)    .  Rev.  A.  Macgregor 


Library.  379 

NAMES   OF   BOOKS.  DONOR 

Gaelic  Pentateuch,  Irish  character    .         .     Rev.  A.  Macgregor 

Gaelic  Book  of  Common  Prayer  (1819)      .  ditto 

Gaelic  Psalter,  Irish  character .         .         .  ditto 

Transactions    of    the    Gaelic    Society   of 
Inverness,  13  vols.    . 

Bibliotheca  Scoto-Celtica 

Grain  le  Rob  Donn  .... 

Leabhar  Oraii  Gaidhealach 

Vible  Casherick,  Manx      .... 

Biobla  Naomtha,  Irish      .... 

Dr  Smith's  Seann  Dana    .... 

Evan's  Welsh  Grammar  and  Vocabulary   . 

Grain  Uilleim  Ros    ..... 

Grain  Dhonnacha  Bhain  .... 

Go-chruinneachadh  Grain  Ghailig 

Book  of  Psalms,  Irish 

Grain   Nuadh    Ghaidhealach,   le  A.    Mac 
dhomhnuill       .... 

Laoidhean  o'n  Sgriobtuir,  D.  Dewar . 

Leabhar  Gran  Gailig         .... 

Am  Biobla  Naomtha  (1690)      . 

The  Family  of  lona 

Grant's  Origin  and  Descent  of  the  Gael     . 

Rathad  Dhe  gu  Sith         .... 

Dain  Spioradail,  Urr.  I.  Griogalach   . 

Dara  Leabhar  airson  nan  Sgoileaii   Gaidh- 
ealach     ...... 

Treas  Leabhar  do.  do 

What  Patriotism,  Justice,  and  Christianity 
demand  for  India     .... 

Grain  Ghaidhealach          .... 

Priolo's  Illustratons  from  Gssian       .         .     Purchased 
Photograph  of  Gaelic  Charter,  1408.         .     Rev.   W.   Ross,   Glas- 
gow 

The  Celtic  Magazine,  vol.  i.       .  .     The  Publishers 

Do.,  vols.  ii.  to  xi.  ....     Purchased 

Elementary  Lessons  in  Gaelic  .         .         .     The  Author 

Stewart's  Gaelic  Grammar        .         .         .     Mr  D.  Mackintosh 

Irish  Pedigrees,  by  G'Hart        .         ...     The  Author 

Dan  an  Deirg  agus  Tiomna  Ghuill  (Eng- 
lish Translation),  2  copies          .         .     Mr  C.  S.  Jerram. 
Gaelic  and  English  Vocabulary  (1741)       .     Rev.  A.  Macgregor 


380  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness, 

NAMES  OP  BOOKS.  DONOR. 

Aryan   Origin   of  the    Celtic    Race    and  \  Mr   John   Mackay, 

Language ]  Hereford 

Old  Map  of  Scotland  (1746)     .         .         .     Mr   Colin    M'Callum, 

London 

Collection  of  Harp  Music          .         .         .Mr  Charles  Fergusson. 
Valuation  Roll  of  the  County  of  Inverness 

(1869-70) ditto 

Do.  do.     Ross  (1871-72)      .  ditto 

Inverness  Directory  (1869-70)  .         .  ditto 

Greek  Testament     .....  ditto 

Greek  Lexicon         .....  ditto 

Gospel  of  St  John  adapted  to  the   Hamil- 

tonian  System  (Latin)       .          .          .  ditto 

Historic  de  Gil  Bias  de  Santillane  (French)  ditto 

Prophecies  of  the  Brahan  Seer,  2nd  edition     Mr  A.  Mackenzie 
My  Schools  and  Schoolmasters          .         .     Mr  James  Reid 
Gaelic  Etymology  of  the  English  Language 

Dr  Charles  Mackay  .         .         .         .     J.  Mackay,  Swansea 
The  Highland  Echo          •  Purchased 

The    Highland    Newspaper,    complete,    4 

volumes  ......     Purchased 

Hebrew — Celtic  Affinity,  Dr  Stratton         .     The  Author 

Illustrations  of   Waverley.  published    for  )  ,T.      «  T,        v 

.  ,.  •"  £  ,.      (  Miss  Fraser,  tarralme 

the  Royal  Association  for  Promoting  ,       ,,.„      K  '          .  , 

the  Fine  Arts  in  Scotland  (1865)       .  ) 
Illustrations  of  Heart   of  Midlothian,  do. 

do  (1873) ditto 

Illustrations  of  the  Bride  of  Lammermuir, 

do.  do.  (1875) ditto 

Illustrations  of  Red  Gauntlet,  do.  do.  (1876)  ditto 

Illustrations  of  the  Fair  Maid  of  Perth      .  ditto 

Illustrations  of  the  Legend  of  Montrose    .  ditto 

Gunn  on  the  Harp  in  the  Highlands          .     Miss  Cameron  of  Inn- 

seagan 
English  Translation  of  Buchanan's  "Latha  \ 

'Bhreitheanais,"     by    the     Rev.     J.  j-Translator 

Sinclair,  Kinloch-Rannoch  (1880)       .  ) 
An   t-Oranaiche,    compiled   by   Archibald 

Sinclair  (1880)          ....     Compiler 
Danaibh  Spioradail,  <kc.,  le  Seumas  Mac-  \  A.  Maclean,  coal  mer* 

Bheathain,  Inverness  (1880)      .         .  J       chant,  Inverness. 
Macdiarmid's  Sermons  in  Gaelic  (1804)     .     Colin      MacCallum, 

London 


Library. 


381 


NAMES   OF   BOOKS. 

Bute  Docks,  Cardiff,  by  John  M'Connachie, 
C.E.  (1876)      .... 

•Observacions  on  the  Present  State  of  the  \ 
Highlands,    by  the    Earl   of  Selkirk 
(1806)      .  .  ) 

•Collection  of  Gaelic  Songs,  by  Ranald  | 
Macdonald  (1806)  .  . 

Mary  Mackellar's  Poems  and  Songs  (1880) 
Dr  O'Gallagher's  Sermons  in  Irish  (1877) . 

John  Hill  Burton's  History  of  Scotland) 
(9  vols.)  .  .  .  .  .  .  j 

Burt's  Letters  from  the  North  of  Scotland 
(2  vols.)  .  ... 

A  Genealogical  Account  of.  the  Highland  \ 
Families  of  Shaw,  by  A.  Mackintosh 
Shaw  (1877)     .  .  ) 

History    of    the    Clan    Chattan,    by    A. 
Mackintosh  Shaw  (1880)  . 

Leabhair  an  t-Sean  Tiomna  air  na^ 
dtarruing  on  Teanguidh  Ughdar- 
rach  go  Gaidhlig  tre  churam  agus 
saothar  an  doctur  Uiliam  Bhedel, 
Roimhe  so  Easpog  Chillemhorie  'n 
Erin  (1830) , 

Edmund  Burke's  Works,  8  vols. 

Land  Statistics  of  Inverness,  Ross,  and  ) 
Cromarty  in  the  Year  1871,  by  H.  C.  > 
Fraser ) 

Church  of  Scotland   Assembly    Papers — 
The  Poolewe  Case     .... 

Ossian's  Fingal  rendered  into  Heroic) 
Verse,  by  Ewen  Cameron  (1777)  .  j 

Ossian's    Fingal   rendered   into   verse    by 
Archibald  Macdonald  (1808)     . 

Clarsach    an    Doire — Gaelic    Poems,    by 
Neil  Macleod    ..... 

MacDiarmid's  Gaelic  Sermons  . 

Leabhar  Commun  nan   Fior  Ghael — The 
Book  of  the  Club  of  True  Highlanders 


DONOR. 

The  Author. 

John    Mackay,    J.P., 
Hereford 

F.  C.  Buchanan,  Clarin- 
nish,  Row,  Helens- 
burgh 

The  Author. 
John     Mackay,    J.P., 

Hereford 

L.       Macdonald       of 
Skaebost 

ditto 
•  The  Author 


The  Author 


A.   R.    MacRaild,   In- 
verness 


Mr  Colin  Chisholm. 
The  Author 


Mr  W.  Mackenzie 
A.    H.    F.    Cameron, 
Esq.  of  Lakefield 

ditto 

The  Author 
Mr  Colin  MacCallum, 
London 

Purchased 


382  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness. 

NAMES   OF   BOOKS.  DON  OH. 

Grammar  of  the  Gaelic  Language  (Irish), 

by  E.  O'C. Mr  H.  C.  Fraser 

Esquisse  de  la  Religion  des  Gaulois.     Par 

M.  Henri  Gaidoz.     1879  .         .         .     M.  Gaidoz 
Notice   sur   les    Inscriptions    Latines   de 

Tlrlande.       Par    M.    Henri    Gaidoz. 

1878 M.  Gaidoz 

Melusine  Recueil  de  Mythologie,  &c.     Par 

MM.  Gaidoz  et  Rolland.     1878          .     M.  Gaidoz 
Guide  to  Sutherlandshire,  by  Hew  Morrison     The  Author 
Transactions  of  the  Royal   National   Eist-  \  Mr  J.   Mackay,  J.P.,, 

eddfod  of  Wales        .         .         .         .  J  Hereford 

Bute  Docks,  Cardiff,  by  J.  Macconnachie, 

M.I.C.E.  .         .         .         ,         .     *  .     The  Author 
In  Memoriam — Earl  of  Seafield         .          .     The     Dovvager-Count- 

ess  of  Seafield 
Past  and   Present   Position   of    the  Skye  \  L.  Macdonald  of  Skae- 

Crofters   .          .          .          .          .          .  /  bost 

American  Journal  of  Philology 

Revue  Celtique,  vol.  VI.,  No.  3         .         .     M.  Gaidoz 

Notes  on  St  Clement  s   Church,  Rowdill, 

Harris      ......     Mr  A.  Ross,  Inverness. 

Notes  on  Clan  Chattau  Names          .          .     J.  Macpherson,  M.D. 
The  Proverbs  of  Wales    .          .          .          .Mr   J.    Mackay,    J.P., 

Hereford 
J.  D.  Dixon's  Gairloch      ....     Mr  A.  Burgess,  banker,. 

Gairloch 
Struan's  Poems        .         .         .         .         .         Mr  A.  Kennedy 

The  Writings  of  Eola        ....     Mr   John  Mackay  of 

Ben  Reay 
The  Proverbs  of  Wales,  by  T.  R.  Roberts  .     Mr   J.   Mackay,  J.P.,. 

Hereford 
An  Old  Scots  Brigade,  by  John  Mackay, 

Herrisdale ditto 

Cromb's  Highland  Brigade        .         .        •.  ditto 

Glossary  of  Obscure  Words  in  Shakespeare 

and  his  Contemporaries,  by  Dr  Chas. 

Mackay    ......  ditto 

Pococke's  Tour  in  Scotland,  issued  by  the  ^  Mr  D.  William  Kemp, 

Historical  Society  of  Scotland    .         .  \  Edinburgh 

Walcott's  Scottish  Church         .         '..:       .     Mr  A.  Burgess,  Gair- 
loch 


Library.  383 

NAMES  OF  BOOKS.  DONOR. 

Dick  Lauder's  Highland  Legends      .         .     Mr  A.  Burgess,  Gair- 

loch 

Book  of  Scottish  Story     .         .         .      '    ...  ditto 

Stuart  Papers          .....  ditto 

The  Constitution    and   Bye-Laws  of   the)  Mr   John    Mackay  of 

Scots  Charitable  Society  of  Boston     . )  Ben  Reay 

Notes  on  Early  Iron  Smelting  in  Suther-{  Mr  D.  William  Kemp, 

land         .....  j  Edinburgh 

Artificial  Lighting  .....  ditto 

The  Mountain  Heath,  by  David  Macdonald     Mr  A.  H.  F.  Cameron 

of  Lakefield 
Oratio  Dominica      .         .         .  •  .     Mr  John  Mackay,  J.P., 

Hereford 
Old    Testament    in  the    Irish    Language,     Mr     Paul     Cameron, 

by  Dr  William  Bedel,  1685        .         .  Blair-Athole 

The  Hermit  in  Edinburgh         .          .  Dr  Cameron, Liverpool 

The  History  of  the  Macleans,  by  Professor 

J.P.Maclean.  .         . 

Fingal's  Cave,  Staffa,  2  vols.,  by  Professor  \         ,. 

J.  P.  Maclean ( 

The  Reay  Fencibles  .  I  Mr  J°£n  M^ay,  J.P, 

j  Hereford 

Reliquiae     Celtics).       Vol.    I. — Ossianica,  \ 

with  Memoir  of  Dr  Cameron.     Edited  f  rm     i--,^ 

T-  AT          A          AT         1        •  AT     4  '    1  116    EaltOl'S 

by  Mr  A.   Macbain,   M.A.,   and  Rev.  i 

John  Kennedy          .          .          .          .  j 
The    Elements   of   Banking.     By   Henry  1  mi 

Dunning  Macleod     .         .    '  Jj  The  Author 

John    Laurie,    an    Eccentric    Sutherland )  m, 

Dominie.     By  D.W.Kemp      .         J  The  Author 
Irish  New  Testament       .  Dr    Cameron,    Wor- 

cester 
Report  of  the  Worcester  Diocesan  Archi-  \  ,. 

tectural  and  Archaeological  Society    .  J 
Manuscript  Collection  of  Music.     By  John  )  ,. 

Anderson,  musical  master,  Inverness .  / 
Place    Names   of   Scotland,    by    Rev.   Mr 

Johnston  ......     Mr  W.  A.  G.  Brodie 

The  Christian  Doctrine,  by  the  Archbishop 

of  Tuam Mr  Colin  Grant,  Balti- 
more 


384  Gaelic  Society  of  Inuerness. 

NAMES  OF  BOOKS.  DONOR. 

Light  of  Britinna — Druidic  Mysteries,  by     Mr  JohnMackay,J.P., 

Owen  Morgan,  B.B.D.  (Morien)          .         Hereford 
Reliquse  Celticse.    Vol.  II. — Dr  Cameron's.  ) 

Edited  by  Mr  A.  Macbain,  M. A.,  and  V  The  Editors 

Rev.  John  Kennedy.         .         .         .  ) 
History  of   Urquhart  and  Glenmoriston, 

by  William  Mackay  .         .         .     The  Author 

History  of  the  Mackenzies,    2nd  Edition, 

by  Alex.  Mackenzie          .         .         .     The  Author 


PB 
1501 
G3 
v.18 


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